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EPITOME 




EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY; 



DESIGNED FOR FAMILIES, SABBATH SCHOOLS, AND BIBLE 

CLASSES. 



BY CYRUS &ANN, 

Paster of the Congregational Church in Westminster, Mass. 



u Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way ? By taking" heed thereto ac- 
cording- to thy word." — Psalmist. 

" Every man residing in a Christian country will acknowledge (unless he have an 
end to answer in saying otherwise) that those people who read the Bible, believe its 
doctrines, and endeavor to form their lives by its precepts, aie the most sober, up- 
right, and useful members of the community; and that those, on the other hand, 
who discredit the Bible, and renounce it as the rule of their lives, are, generally 
speaking-, addicted to the grossest vices." — Home. 



SECOND EDITION. 



BOSTON: 

PRINTED EY T. R. MARVIN, FOR THE 

MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL UNION. 
Depository, Noi 47, Comhill. 



1831, 






Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1831, 

By Christopher C. Dean, 
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. 



r /7* 



PREFACE. 



TO PARENTS. 

To the benevolent mind the numerous and 
successful efforts which are now making to in- 
struct, the rising generation must afford occasion 
of gratitude and joy. That they who are soon to 
fill the places of their fathers ; to inherit their 
estates, and wield the destinies of their country ; 
to frame its laws, and preside in its courts of 
justice ; to sustain and carry forward its civil, lite- 
rary, and religious institutions ; that they should 
be enlightened, and trained to virtuous habits and 
correct sentiments, is an object of transcendent 
importance. Whether we consider their own hap- 
piness as rational, immortal beings, or the influence 
they will exert on the present generation, and in 
deciding the condition of the millions who are to 
succeed them, the prospect is almost overwhelming. 
In the neglect or instruction of those in early life 
we are digging the graves of our liberties, and 
extinguishing the light of heaven which shines upon 
our land, or giving stability to our invaluable in- 
stitutions, and ushering in the morning which shall 
shine brighter and brighter until the day of mil- 
lenial glory. 



IV PREFACE, 

Education alone will not save the country from 
ruin, nor the soul from death. Perverted talents 
and learning become the most dreadful engines of 
corruption and infidelity, and the surest steps to 
anarchy and despotism. Education must be sancti- 
fied and directed by the Word of God, or its most 
desirable and happy results will never be expe- 
rienced. Those who oppose the religious in- 
struction of youth are opposing the means of their 
own safety ; they are throwing away the only 
shield which can defend them against a host of 
malignant passions, and enable them to repose 
without fear of the robber and midnight assassin. 
Remove the restraints of religion, and what can 
effectually check the hand of violence ? What can 
set bounds to the flood of crimes, ready to deluge 
society ? What can elicit truth in courts of justice ? 
What can awaken in the young a dread of those 
secret acts of guilt which no eye, except that of 
Jehovah, can witness ? Cases occur every day and 
hour which no human laws can reach, and on which 
there must be laid a restraining power, or society 
becomes a curse instead of a blessing. These 
cases can be met and remedied only by the all- 
pervading influence of religion, carrying its sanc- 
tions home to the heart and conscience, and saying 
to the offender, whether young or old, that how- 
ever he may escape a human tribunal, he shall not 
escape the just reward of his iniquity at the tribu- 
nal of heaven. 

And if religion is necessary to prepare youth for 
usefulness in civil .society, much more is it to fit 
them to live under the moral government of their 
Creator. What is to give vigor and energy to 
their moral faculties — to awaken conscience to a 
faithful discharge of its office — to raise the affections 



PREFACE. V 

to the Supreme Good — and engage all the powers 
in the service of God ? Will mere science ever 
produce these desirable and important effects ? will 
it soften and subdue the heart, and diffuse the love 
of God through the soul ? will it bring the sinner 
into subjection to Christ, transform him into the 
image of his Maker, and impart that holiness with- 
out which no man shall see the Lord ? Oh, no ! 
the highest culture in human science has never 
afforded these blessed results. You may lead your 
children through academic groves, and teach them 
with Newton to investigate every law of nature, 
and measure every planetary orbit ; or with Frank- 
lin to direct the lightning in its course ; or with 
Stewart and Locke to develop all the powers of 
mind ; and if they are untaught and unsanctified 
by the sacred oracles, they will still be enemies to 
God by wicked works. They will be in a perishing 
condition for want of that knowledge and wisdom 
which come from above, and conduct to eternal 
life. Where then is the patriotism — to say nothing 
of the piety — of those who are continually neglect- 
ing or opposing efforts for communicating a know- 
ledge of the scriptures to the rising generation? 

Has not the spirit of infidelity gone abroad in the 
land, and are not attempts to diffuse it still wider, 
continually made in the sneers, and cavils, and in- 
sinuations, designed to bring reproach and contempt 
upon the great doctrines of revelation ? Have not 
many renounced all confidence in the Bible ? If 
they profess some regard for its sacred truths, is it 
not that they may more effectually carry on their 
secret operations against all vital piety ? Exposed 
to their influence, how many children of pious 
parents have grown up, not only in the neglect of 
religion, but its open and avowed enemies! They 
1* 



VI PREFACE. 

listened to the conversation of the artful and de- 
signing, and, ere the parent was aware, they had 
made alarming- and fearful strides in the road to 
infidelity. Its odious principles, instilled into their 
unsanetified hearts, like sparks of fire upon tinder, 
caught quick and spread rapidly. Without exami- 
nation, the youth is corrupted and undone. He 
yields to prejudice, and relinquishes all reverence 
for the bible, and the truths it inculcates. Family 
prayer becomes irksome, and the froward child re- 
fuses to come to the domestic altar, or approaches 
it with manifest disgust. The parent's heart is 
wrung with inconsolable anguish at witnessing this 
progress of declension in a beloved offspring, until 
he has yielded to the unlimited control of the de- 
praved passions, and given himself to work all man- 
ner of iniquity with greediness. 

How shall this alarming evil, which has so often 
sent mourning into the habitations of the just, be 
averted ? How shall future victims be rescued from 
the jaws of death ? Furnish the young with the evi^ 
dences which should support their confidence in 
the truth and inspiration of the scriptures. Fortify 
their minds against the assaults of unbelief by 
proofs adapted to their comprehension, and lead 
them to believe from knowledge and conviction. 
Let them see the immoveable basis on which faith 
rests, and they will not be easily led away with the 
error of the wicked. Going abroad into the world, 
they will not be ridiculed out of their respect for 
revelation. They will know in whom they have 
believed, and why they have believed, and will hold 
fast their faith without wavering. 

Some, indeed, pretend to let their children choose 
for themselves in religion. They will give them no 
instruction cm this subject, lest they should bias the 



PREFACE. Vll 

youthful mind. But they forget that their own ex- 
amples are constantly exerting an influence in op- 
position to piety ; that they are daily saying, by 
their conduct, It is no harm to treat the scriptures 
with neglect and contempt. Instead of obeying the 
commands of God, " Thou shalt teach them dili- 
gently unto thy children," " Train up a child in the 
way he should go," " Bring them up in the nurture 
and admonition of the Lord," — instead of this, these 
persons suffer their children to grow up like the 
" wild ass's colt," and are preparing to turn out upon 
society the most deadly enemies to all religion. Is 
it not an established fact, that the natural heart, left 
uncultivated and destitute of religious knowledge, 
is prepared for the reception of every prevailing, 
fatal error ; that unless youth are taught the fear of 
the Lord, and a reverence for his word, they usually 
become despisers of the divine authority, profane 
scoffers, or stupid and hardened unbelievers? 

Would you be faithful to those whom Providence 
has intrusted to your care, and rid yourselves of the 
blood of their souls, treat them as immortal, account- 
able beings ; instruct them in the book of God, and 
show them the evidences of its divine authority ; 
wrestle in prayer for them with Him who has said, 
" I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my bles- 
sing upon thine offspring." Let not your solicitude 
for them abate until they are created anew in Christ 
Jesus. How utterly does he fail of discharging the 
duties of a parent who provides only for a few years 
which are as nothing, and neglects that immortality 
which is all ; who trains his children to stations of 
worldly profit or honor merely, and consigns them 
to misery during all the periods of their future ex- 
istence. 

Scarcely less deficient in duty would he be who 



Vlll PREFACE. 

should teach only the evidences of Christianity. 
This is but one step in promoting youthful piety, 
though an essential one, without which fervent 
prayer and unwearied assiduity in inculcating the 
truths of the gospel will be likely to prove ineffec- 
tual. But perhaps you are too little acquainted 
with these evidences to communicate them to your 
children, and see no method of acquiring a know- 
ledge of these subjects. The excellent books in 
which they are discussed you may deem too large 
for your perusal, or too expensive for you to pur- 
chase. If so, the little treatise which is here pre- 
sented you, it is believed, will afford important aid. 
It is not designed as a substitute for more valuable 
and extensive works, but as a partial supply where 
there is an entire deficiency. It is so small that all 
the leading points of proof may be readily commit- 
ted to memory, and that it may easily find its way 
into every family. 

It may serve as a Text Book for a few recitations 
at the commencement of Bible classes, and may be 
beneficial to many of the older scholars in Sabbath 
schools. 

Little more has been attempted upon the genu- 
ineness and authenticity of the scriptures than to 
give a short epitome of larger works. The writer 
would rejoice to have every family furnished with 
Home's Introduction, Paley's Evidences, Erskine's 
Remarks, and Leslie's Short Method with the 
Deists. But while these and similar publications 
are seldom, if ever, read until the sentiments are 
established, and have assumed an inflexibility which 
will yield to no arguments, this little volume may 
be perused by a child, and should his heart be sub- 
dued by the grace of God, may assist in giving a 
reason of the hope which is in him. That all 



PREFACE. IX 

parents may be faithful to the immortal beings 
whom heaven has committed to their charge ; that 
all our youth may be taught of God, and become 
living stones in his spiritual temple ; is the fervent 
prayer of the writer. He will feel richly rewarded 
for the labor bestowed on the following pages, 
should they be the means of guarding any against 
the seductions of error, or confirming them in the 
faith once delivered to the saints. 



O 3 This Edition has been corrected and enlarged. 
Questions have been added, at the bottom of the page,, to 
facilitate the use of this little manual in Bible classes, and 
families. To these questions, many others may be added 
by the teacher, who should be able to give further expla- 
nations and proofs, too numerous to be crowded into this 
volume without destroying its object. 



DISCOURSE I. 



DUTY OF EXAMINING THE DIVINE AUTHORITY OF 
THE SCRIPTURES. 

2 Peter, i. 16. For we have not followed cunningly devised 
fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty. 

These are the words of a disciple just before 
he suffered martyrdom. Christ had informed 
him that he " must shortly put off this taberna- 
cle/' or in other words, that he would be put to 
death, because he had firmly believed, and zeal- 
ously endeavored to propagate, the gospel. Had 
he acted the part of an impostor, now was the 
time for him to recant. Now the terrors of an 
ignominious and painful death were set before 
him, and he saw that he could have no earthly 
object to gain by continuing to follow Christ and 
adhere to his truth. Every thing seemed to 

When did Peter write his second Epistle ? What is it to suf- 
fer martyrdom ? At what time and place, and in what manner 
was Peter put to death ? [Ans. A. D. 66, at Rome ; he was 
crucified with his head downward, at his request, for he thought 
himself unworthy to die in the same position with Christ.] 
What would he have done had he been an impostor ? Why 
would he have renounced the gospel ? 



12 DUTY OF EXAMINING THE DIVINE 

urge him to renounce the cause of the Saviour. 
And what was his conduct in this critical pe- 
riod ? Does he manifest any hesitancy respect- 
ing the divine authority of the instructions he 
had delivered, or any misgivings of conscience 
for having published them ? Far otherwise. 
" I will endeavor," says he, " that ye may be 
able after my decease to have these things 
always in remembrance. " He was confident 
that he and the other apostles and disciples of 
Christ had not followed cunningly devised fables 
in believing, and laboring to spread, the gospeh 
What a proof did Peter give of his sincerity and 
firm belief in Christ. He is not only ready but 
actually goes with his Lord to prison and to 
death. Can you avoid the conviction that such 
a man must have spoken the truth 1 

All the apostles knew they had not fol- 
lowed cunningly devised fables, for they were 
eye-witnesses of what they related. They had 
seen the miracles of Christ ; had listened to his 
instructions ; had beheld the glory which shone 
around him on the mount of transfiguration ; 
had been knowing to his resurrection and tri- 
umphant ascension ; to the gift of the Holy. 

Of what was Peter confident ? How did the apostles know, 
they had not followed cunningly devised fables ? 



AUTHORITY OP THE SCRIPTURES. 13 

Grhost on the day of Pentecost — and that his 
gospel was the wisdom of God and the power of 
God unto salvation. 

The scriptures demand attention, for they are 
a light shining in a dark world. They ought to 
be studied until the Holy Spirit has opened to 
your view their glory and excellence, and caused 
the day of heavenly grace to dawn in your 
minds. 

Many give a loose and general assent to the 
truth of the bible, and condemn themselves by 
the little regard they pay to its precepts and its 
doctrines. Many suffer themselves to doubt 
whether this be the book of God, and whether 
they are bound to receive it as the arbiter of life 
or death to the human family. Many begin in 
their early days to rely with more confidence on 
their own opinions, formed without examination 
under all the bias of a depraved heart, than 
upon any declarations contained in the sacred 
scriptures. And how few study the evidences 
of the truth and inspiration of the bible with 
the diligence and the intense interest their im- 

What is the great end to be desired and sought in studying 
the sacred scriptures ? How do many conduct with respect to 
the evidences of their inspiration ? 

2 



14 DUTY OF EXAMINING THE DIVINE 

portanee demands. If religion is anything it is 
every thing. If God has spoken to us in his 
word, and given us a revelation of his will, and 
we pay no regard to it, we are guilty of the 
highest possible irreverence, and may justly 
expect his severest displeasure. 

My young friends, has your confidence been 
established in the truth of the scriptures ? Have 
you received them as the word of God ? If not P 
and you still continue to withhold your cordial 
belief in the sacred oracles, the instructions of 
the Sabbath school and Bible class, and all the 
other means of grace, will probably do you but 
little good. If you have never had any doubts 
respecting the divine origin of the scriptures, it 
is important to know why you believe them to 
be a communication from the Most High. You 
will then hear me attentively, while I present 
some motives for diligently studying the evidences 
in favor of the truth and inspiration of the 
scriptures. 

1. You should study these evidences early 
and diligently, because of the numerous tempta- 
tions to which you are exposed. The natural 
heart is full of unbelief, which begins to mani- 

Of what are they guilty, and what may they justly expect ? 



AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES. 15 

fest itself with the earliest dawning of reason. 
The self-abasing truths of the gospel, and the 
holy duties it enjoins, usually appear forbidding 
to youth, and they are powerfully tempted to re- 
ject its messages. If you credit implicitly the 
word of the Lord, and yield to its influence, 
you must relinquish many of your vain pleasures. 
You must quit your merriment, and the society 
of the profane and dissolute with whom you 
have perhaps begun to be associated, and must 
often endure reproach and shame for the sake 
of Christ. The difficulties in the way of piety 
appear too formidable, and you are ready, with- 
out examination, to withhold your confidence 
from the bible. The path of irreligion and im- 
piety appears the most smooth and easy, and 
altogether the most delightful, and your inclina- 
tions prompt you to choose it without regard to 
consequences. 

You are disposed to listen to every thing 
which encourages you in the way you love to 
pursue. You hear numbers caviling at the 
scriptures, throwing out insinuations against the 

What is the first reason offered, wh}" these evidences should 
be studied early and diligently ? Why are the young - so much 
exposed to temptation ? What do the scriptures require youth 
to relinquish ? 



16 DUTY OF EXAMINING THE DIVINE 

facts they contain, or the doctrines they incul- 
cate. Although the present is an age of reli- 
gious enterprise, and of marvellous grace, it is 
likewise an age of infidelity. The poison is 
presented in every shape which is capable of 
alluring and captivating the unwary. It meets 
the young and inexperienced in newspapers, 
poems, and travels, in books of science and phi- 
losophy, and in the school books, the calendar, 
and the anti-religious tract. All these, and 
numerous other temptations of continual occur' 
rence, fall in with the bias of every unrenewed 
heart. Without early and diligently studying 
the truth of the scriptures, the young will inevi- 
tably be overcome with the error of the wicked. 
They will become more hardened in unbelief 
with increasing years. They will yield to 
temptation, and leave the paths of uprightness 
to walk in the ways of darkness. Will you not 
then seasonably and earnestly apply yourselves 
to a candid investigation of the evidences which 
should confirm your belief in the word of God ? 
2. Be persuaded to do this, that you may be 



What hinders a compliance with these requisitions ? What 
will probably be the consequences of neglecting early to. study 
the truth of the scriptures ? 



AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES. 17 

able to answer those who represent the scrip- 
tures as of no authority. 

The young must be armed against the attacks 
which will be made upon them by the cavils of 
unbelief. Like Elisha, they must be able to 
£how that they have something to speak on 
God's behalf. Without the means of defending 
iheir belief, they will be confounded and put to 
shame by those who are uninformed, and who 
have rejected the truth from mere ignorance. 
They will be like a city without walls, open to 
the incursions of the enemy from every quarter. 
They will be easily vanquished, and driven from 
the little confidence they may have imbibed in 
the sacred record. There is evidence abun- 
dantly sufficient to convince every candid mind 
that the Lord hath spoken to us in his word ; 
but he who has not investigated this evidence 
is in the same situation as though it did not 
exist. He is exposed to the unhappy conse- 
quences of denying the Lord who bought him, 
of making shipwreck of the faith, of dying with- 
out hope. 

How important to be able early to wield the 



In what respect should they resemble Elisha ? Why should 
they be able to defend their belief in the bible ? 
2* 



18 DUTY OF EXAMINING THE DIVINE 

weapons of defence, and wrest from the adver- 
saries of our holy religion the deceitful armor 
wherein they trust. The youth, who has dared 
to appear in defence of that gospel which has 
been given to cheer and bless the world, has 
taken a noble stand. Heaven will smile on his 
efforts. His mind will be enriched from the 
treasures of wisdom, and it is no vision of the 
imagination to predict that he will become 
mighty in the scriptures and valiant for the truth. 
Is it not the duty of all to be able to answer 
the objections of unbelief? Can any be strong 
in the faith, and give glory to God, unless they 
see the grounds on which they are resting their 
hopes ? The believer has indeed an evidence 
within himself, paramount to all others, of the 
truth of the bible. It has given him a know- 
ledge of his own heart, has shown him his guilt, 
subdued his pride, and produced a great and 
happy change in his feelings, desires, and pur- 
suits. A book which could produce these ef- 
fects, he is sure must come from God, for he 
only could search the heart, and reveal the 
glories of the divine character. This kind of 

What evidence has the believer, which others do not possess, 
that this book is inspired ? 



AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES. 19 

proof is satisfactory, and would be sufficient 
for the believer, were there no other. But he 
needs something more to enable him to defend 
the cause of Christ in an unbelieving world, and 
maintain the truth against all the attacks of its 
enemies. He must enter the field of investiga- 
tion, and trace the luminous track of revelation 
in the history of the world, and the numerous 
branches of evidence by which it is confirmed 
and commended to the belief of all men. If all 
this is necessary for the established believer, how 
indispensable is it to the young adventurer, just 
entering upon the theatre of life. He must meet 
continually with secret and subtle, or with open 
and avowed, assaults upon the divine authority 
of the scriptures, with the^ridicule and contempt 
cast on its distinguishing doctrines, and with 
efforts to exalt human reason above the authority 
of revelation. Let him apply himself diligently 
in examining the basis of the great charter of 
his hopes, lest he be carried away with the cur- 
rent of this world, and fall under the denuncia- 
tion of the Most High, " If any man add unto 
these things, God shall add unto him the plagues 
that are written in this book ; and if any man 

Of what use is it to him to possess any further proof? 



20 DUTY OF EXAMINING THE DIVINE 

shall take away from the words of the book of 
this prophecy, God shall take away his part out 
of the book of life, and out of the holy city." 

3. The scriptures claim to have proceeded 
from God. They come to us with repeated as* 
surances that they were given by inspiration of 
the Holy Spirit. It is written, " The prophecy 
came not in old time by the will of man ; but holy 
men of God spake, as they were moved by the 
Holy Ghost." Agreeably to this is the divine 
declaration, " I have sent unto you all my ser- 
vants the prophets, daily rising up early and 
sending them." In Hebrews it is said, " God, 
who in sundry times, and in divers manners, 
spake in time past unto the fathers by tha 
prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us 
by his Son." Paul, writing to the Corinthians, 
says, " Which things also we speak, not in the 
words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which 
the Holy Ghost teacheth." To Timothy he 
writes, " All scripture is given by inspiration of 
God." John testifies in Revelation, " These 
things saith the faithful and true witness — I 
Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you 

What do the scriptures claim ? Repeat some of the passages, 
where this claim is stated ? 



AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES. 21 

these things in the churches." Nothing is more 
evident than that the bible claims to be the book 
of God, and this circumstance demands an early 
and diligent examination of the proofs of its 
divine origin. 

Were statutes and laws sent you purporting to 
come from the supreme authority of the land, 
and were their authority called in question, 
would you not deem yourself bound to examine 
the justice of their pretensions ? Would you 
think it safe to treat them with indifference, or 
utter neglect, under the plea that you knew not 
whence they originated ? Did they require of 
you a particular course of conduct, and particu- 
lar feelings and sentiments towards the govern- 
ment under which you lived, would it be a suf- 
ficient excuse for neglecting all these requisitions, 
that you were never satisfied of their genuine- 
ness, and never took the trouble to examine 
their claims? And if such an excuse would be 
accepted by no human government on earth, 
can you expect that it would be accepted by the 
King of heaven? Will he suffer all his statutes 

Were statutes put into your hands, purporting to come from 
your rulers, what examination would you make respecting them 1 
Would it be a sufficient excuse for neglecting to do this, to pre- 
tend you did not believe they proceeded from the government ? 



22 DUTY OF EXAMINING THE DIVINE 

and commands to be thus evaded by his intelli- 
gent creatures ? Imagine to yourselves one 
arraigned before the judgment seat to give an 
account of the deeds done on earth. Hear the 
Judge interrogating him, Why did you not be- 
lieve in the revelation which I gave you? Why 
did you not obey its commands, and submit your 
heart and life to its sacred influence ? 

Who will then be able to reply, There were 
indeed messages put into my hand, which 
claimed to come from Jehovah, and demanded 
a voluntary surrender of his rebellious subjects 
to him, and obedience to his will : but I never 
believed that these messages proceeded from 
such high authority ;" I thought them the work 
of human invention, and not worthy of my obe- 
dience. W r ill any one dare offer such a plea 
before his omniscient Creator and Judge? 
Should he do it, would not his mouth be in- 
stantly shut by the inquiry, Why did you not 
examine the authority of the record which you 
rejected? You knew its high claims to your 
attention. Why were you not all engaged to 

Will this excuse answer for neglecting - to examine the truth of 
the scriptures ? What may we suppose the final Judge will 
say to those who have neglected this duty ? Will the}- be able 
to make any reply ; or if they should ; what will justly be said ta 
them? 



AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES. 23 

learn whether it were genuine 1 Why did you 
not resort with candor and prayerfulness to every 
source of information afforded you, respecting 
the truth of what come to you with the seal of 
heaven upon it? Instead of this you have con- 
temptuously slighted the testimony of the King 
of glory, and never taken the trouble to inquire 
whether he had indeed spoken to you. How 
justly will it then be said to the delinquent, 
Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou oughtest 
to have spent thy life in searching for the origin 
of the record sent thee, and in complying with 
its directions. Thou shouldest have examined its 
truths to know whether they had not the stamp 
of divinity upon them, and whether they were 
not far above all which could ever proceed from 
human wisdom. Thou hast been an unprofitable 
servant, and shall be cast into outer darkness. 

4. The transcendent importance of the sub- 
jects contained in the scriptures should lead us 
to study diligently the evidences of their truth 
and inspiration. 

They are subjects of the deepest interest to 
every human being, subjects which, if there be 



Repeat the fourth reason for attending to the duty under con- 
sideration. 



24 DUTY OF EXAMINING THE DIVINE 

any truth in them, are immeasurably the most 
important that can engage the attention of ac- 
countable creatures. We cannot be ignorant of 
them, nor can we be indifferent towards them, 
without the utmost danger, without putting to 
hazard more than all the treasures and honors 
of this life. The scriptures present subjects 
which are to control our affections and govern 
our whole conduct. They unfold the character 
and perfections of God, and the condition, duties, 
and prospects of men. We are here taught the 
measure of affection and veneration we are to 
cherish towards the great and holy Being who 
made us, and by whose constant visitation we 
are preserved. In the scriptures we learn the 
rectitude in which man was first created, his 
apostacy from his Maker, and the method de- 
vised for his recovery through a Redeemer. 
The office of the Holy Spirit is described, and 
the necessity of his renewing influence in re- 
claiming men to God is exhibited. We are pre- 
sented with the perfect and infallible rules for 
the regulation of our affections and conduct to- 



What is said of the importance of the subjects, presented in 
the bible 1 What do we hazard by indifference towards them ? 
How ought they to affect us ? Will you mention some of the 
most interesting of these subjects? 



AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES. 25 

wards all our fellow-men, to love our neighbor 
as ourselves, and do by others as we would that 
they should do by us. The duties arising out 
of all the different relations in life, those of 
parents and children, masters and servants, 
magistrates and subjects, of friends and acquaint- 
ance, of the young and old, the rich and poor, 
are clearly defined. Above all, there is revealed 
in this book our immortality. We are assured 
that a state of eternal rewards or punishments 
awaits us, when we shall have done with the 
present life. A crown of glory, which fadeth not 
away, or " everlasting destruction from the pre- 
sence of the Lord and the glory of his power," 
shall be the portion of every individual. We 
shall rise to dwell with angels of light, or sink 
to abide with fiends forever. 

And does not a book which reveals subjects 
of such deep and awful interest demand investi- 
gation? Were it merely possible that it might 
be true, no wise man would suffer it to remain a 
matter of doubt or uncertainty with him. He 
would not rest until he had explored its origin, 
and seen on what foundation he must repose for 

What duties are here taught ? What is said of a future state ? 
Were it merely possible, that the bible might be true, what is 
the part of wisdom respecting it ? 

2 



26 DUTY OF EXAMINING THE DIVINE 

the bliss of eternity. You should do this early 
and diligently. 

5. Because you need strong confidence in the 
scriptures. What, except the consolation and 
hope arising from a firm belief in the sacred 
record, can sustain the soul amidst the uncer- 
tainties of time, and the evils which befal us in 
this transitory life 1 What else can administer 
support in affliction, give relief under that sense 
of guilt which is sometimes ready to overwhelm 
the sinner, or sustain us in the dying hour? 
Look at one who, from a state of plenty and 
prosperity, has been suddenly precipitated into 
indigence and want. See him thrown upon the 
compassion of a pitiless and inhospitable world. 
Withering under the chilling hand of poverty, 
he is attacked by disease, and is compelled to 
languish day after day in view of the wants of a 
family, which he is unable to relieve. Does he 
not need strong confidence in the word of God ; 
an unwavering reliance upon the promises given 
to the faithful ; and upon the particular, wise, 
and holy providence taught in revelation ? What 
can sustain his fainting spirit, unless he can 

Why do we need strong confidence in the scriptures ?. At 
what seasons do we especially need this confidence ? 



AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES. 27 

trust in the Lord, and rely on the kind and gra- 
cious intimation, that all things shall work to- 
gether for good to them who love God ? 

Take the case of the sinner, convinced of his 
deep and aggravated guilt, and anxiously inquir- 
ing what he must do to be saved. He feels 
that he has been guilty of immeasurable offence, 
and deserves to be cast off forever. He sees 
that vindictive justice is awake against him, and 
unless its demands be soon appeased, its sword 
must be bathed in his blood. Where shall he 
look for help? Which way shall he flee from 
infinite wrath ? Does he not now stand in per- 
ishing need of evidence that the book is from 
God which invites him to Jesus for mercy, that 
it is indeed a faithful saying, and worthy of all 
acceptation, that Christ Jesus has come into the 
world to save sinners, and that he is able to save 
them to the utmost who come unto God by him ? 
Finding it worse than in vain to look to a finite 
arm for assistance, can anything be more de- 
sirable than the certainty of that promise of the 
Saviour, " Come unto me, all ye that labor, and 
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest V 3 

What are the feelings of the sinner ; convinced of his guilt ? 
Where can he find peace ? 



28 DUTY OF EXAMINING THE DIVINE 

There only can he obtain consolation. Thou- 
sands have fled to this refuge, and they have 
found it a safe retreat from all their fears. 

Go to the beds of the dying, and what can 
sustain them in that gloomy hour? What can 
bring them tidings from the shores of that eter- 
nity into which they are about to launch? What 
sun can illumine their path through the valley 
of death ? It is the sun of righteousness, shin- 
ing from the sacred page. A light here dawns 
upon the darkness of the grave. Tidings are 
brought from heaven, and communicated to a 
dying world. And do we not need strong con- 
fidence in these messages of mercy ? Should 
we not be assured that we have not followed fa- 
bles, when we have trusted in Christ, that he 
will keep that which is committed to him, and 
raise it up at the last day ? Examine then the 
truth and inspiration of the record which testi- 
fies of the Saviour. Learn early and seasonably 
on what the pillars of your hope must rest, that 
it may be as the house built on the rock, amidst 
the pains and anxious forebodings of dissolving 
nature. 



What information do the dying need, and where can this be 
found ? 



AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES. 29 

How unwise are they who venture forward in 
life without settling with themselves the all-im- 
portant question, whether the bible be the book 
of God. They commit themselves to the wide 
ocean, without a compass or a pilot to direct 
their course. They are driven at the mercy of 
every wind and wave, and no wonder if they are 
soon wrecked and lost. They reject the shield 
of faith, enter the territory of the enemy, and 
are vanquished at his pleasure. What can 
exceed the folly of those who, finding themselves 
beset with temptations, in imminent danger from 
their own corrupt passions, and exposed contin- 
ually to the arrests of death, still persist in the 
neglect of the only means of safety ? May I not 
hope that you who are commencing your career 
in life will begin by diligently and prayerfully 
inquiring into the divine authority of the scrip- 
tures ; and, having found that they are from God, 
will yield your hearts to the influence of the 
truths inculcated. O do not, like Esau, despise 
your birth-right ; lest like him you find no place 
for repentance, though it be sought carefully 
with tears. 



What do they, who neglect to examine, whether the bible be 
from God ? 

3* 



30 DUTY OF EXAMINING THE DIVINE 

How inconsistent is the general conduct of 
men in their treatment of the sacred scriptures. 
How reluctant are multitudes to devote a scanty 
pittance of time to hearing or examining the 
truths of the bible, and the evidence that it is a 
message from God unto them. They dare not 
conclude that it is not from him, such are the in- 
tuitive marks of divinity which it bears, and so 
forcibly does it commend itself to their con- 
science. But they content themselves with an 
indecision on this momentous subject, which 
will not alarm their fears nor disturb their slum- 
bers. They wish to come to no conclusion, for 
if they do, it must be in favor of the truth of the 
divine oracles, and this once settled, all their vain 
dreams of security in sin are forever at an end. 
They have a work to do which must be done 
speedily, or nothing awaits them but a miserable 
eternity. The bible asserts, " Except a man be 
born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 
Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting 
life, and he that believeth not the Son shall not 
see life ; but the wrath of God abideth on him." 

How do multitudes content themselves in this neglect ? Why 
do they wish to continue undecided on this subject ? If the 
scriptures are from God, what important results must follow ? 



AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES. 31 

The dread of admitting declarations like these, 
- in all their force, has led many, it is to be fear- 
ed, to suspend an acknowledgment of the divine 
authority of the scriptures. When they are ad- 
mitted to be the word of God, there is no more 
resting in a slender morality, which leaves Je- 
hovah and all the duties of piety out of question ; 
there is no more depending for acceptance on a 
pretended doing as well as we know how, while 
we live in the total neglect of all the conditions 
of salvation described in the gospel. Granting 
that the scriptures are given by inspiration of 
God, there is absolutely no hope for any sinner, 
except in becoming a new creature in Christ 
Jesus. 

In short, we may arrive at certainty respecting 
the truth of the scriptures. This subject is not 
attended with the difficulties which sometimes 
embarrass religious experience. A deceitful 
heart hinders multitudes from obtaining a know- 
ledge of themselves. Others may discover so 
much remaining corruption in themselves, may 
find so little love to Christ, so much coldness in 
duty, and so many wanderings from God, that 
they can scarcely decide whether they are tha 
friends or the enemies of the Redeemer, 



32 DUTY OF EXAMINING THE DIVINE 

But the truth of scripture is easily known and 
read of all men. It is founded on facts which 
are open to investigation. The apostles were 
confident, " We have not followed cunningly 
devised fables, when we made known unto you 
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
but were eye-witnesses of his majesty. We 
know in whom we have believed — hereby we 
know, that we are of the truth, and shall assure 
our hearts before God." If they could obtain 
certainty, much more may we; for we have all 
the evidence which they possessed, together 
with all which has accumulated by the power 
and efficacy of the gospel through succeeding 
ages. Were we compelled to go the world over, 
and spend all our days in this examination, it 
were better to commence the undertaking im- 
mediately, than to leave the matter in uncer- 
tainty. Could we arrive only at probability , 
of what folly should we be guilty if we did not 
search for this as our life. How inexcusable 
then shall we be not to acquire an unwavering 
confidence. The honor of God, and our own 



On what kind of evidence is the truth of the scriptures 
founded 1 Can we arrive at certainty respecting this subject ? 
What do the apostles say in regard to it ? 



AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES. 33 

comfort and safety, require a vigorous faith. See 
that you take heed to the sure word of prophecy, 
as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, un- 
til the day dawn and the day-star arise in your 
hearts. 



DISCOURSE II, 



GENUINENESS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. 

Luke i. 4. That thou mightest know the certainty of those 
things wherein thou hast been instructed. 

This sacred historian commences his gospel 
by saying that many- had undertaken to write 
accounts of the new dispensation introduced by 
our Saviour. The extraordinary life and death 
of Christ, and the power and efficacy which had 
been given to his instructions, attracted the 
attention of great numbers, both Jews and 
heathen. Many uninspired men would natu- 
rally keep a record of remarkable events which 
transpired in their day. They were not, how- 
ever, the favored instruments whom God had 
selected to transmit the history of Christ and 
the revelation of the divine will to posterity. 
Luke was well qualified for this important pur- 

What effect had the extraordinary life and death of Christ ? 
How was Luke well qualified to write the history of Christ ? 
Did any others keep records of events mentioned in the gospel, 
and were they all inspired 1 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 35 

pose, having had a perfect understanding of all 
which related to the Saviour from the beginning. 
He inscribes his history to Theophilus, a man 
of rank and eminence in the church; with the 
express purpose that this distinguished person 
might know the certainty of those things relating 
to the gospel, of which he had already received 
some knowledge. Not less interesting to us, 
my young friends, is this certainty, than it was 
to the illustrious personage of whom the apostle 
speaks. I shall, therefore, proceed to lay before 
you, in as plain and concise manner as possible, 
some of the evidences of the genuineness, authen- 
ticity, and inspiration of the Scriptures. 

By their genuineness is meant that they are 
the real productions of the persons by whom 
they claim to have been written, and were 
actually penned at the time assigned to them. 

Their authenticity implies that they relate 
facts which really happened, and are conse- 
quently entitled to entire credit. 

By inspiration is intended that the writers 
were so assisted by the Spirit of God as to be 
preserved from error in their narrations, and so 

To whom did Luke inscribe his history, and for what pur- 
pose ? What is meant by the genuineness of the scriptures ? 
What by their authenticity ? What by their inspiration ? 



36 GENUINENESS OF 

enlightened as to be able to communicate truths 
which could otherwise never have been known, 
and that they have written neither more nor less 
than it was the will of God should be revealed 
to men. All their writings are sanctioned by 
divine authority, and demand our implicit faith. 
Let us at present consider the evidences of the 
genuineness of the sacred icritings. 

I shall first notice those which respect the 
Old Testament. That the books of which this 
is composed were written by Moses and the 
prophets, and the authors to whom they are at- 
tributed, is evident from witnesses who possessed 
the means of knowing, and who could have had 
no inducement to impose on succeeding ages. 

Books were of rare occurrence in the early 
periods of the world, when the scriptures began 
to be written. Those which did exist must 
have excited curiosity, and led to diligent in- 
quiry respecting their authors. The scriptures 
were transcribed with great labor, and those 
who first performed this service must _have 

Repeat the names of the books in the Old Testament. Which 
of these compose the Pentateuch, and by whom were they writ- 
ten 1 How do we know the different parts of the Old Testa- 
ment were written by Moses and the prophets, or persons to 
whom they are attributed I Were books common in those 
days? 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 37 

known by whom, and at what time, they were 
composed.* The transcriber would naturally 
communicate this knowledge to his immediate 
descendants, and these again to others through 
succeeding generations. In this manner they 
have come down to us, and all those through 
whose hands they have passed testify that they 
are genuine. 

God directed parents to be habitual and dili- 
gent in teaching their children the sacred 
writings, and no better method could have been 
devised for preserving a true account of their 
origin. They were held in the highest venera- 
tion among that very people whom they con- 
tinually reproved and threatened for their sins, 
and who would never have transmitted such 
unfavorable accounts of themselves to pos- 



How were they written ? What effect would the great diffi- 
culty of writing - them have upon the notoriety of their authors ? 
What direction did God give to parents, and what influence 
would this have in preserving the origin of the scriptures ? How 
were the Jews treated in these writings 1 Did they reject these 
books on that account 1 

* At that time the art of printing was unknown, and books, if 
they could be so called, were written on wood, wax, bark, or leaves 
of trees, and parchment made of skins. This last material was the 
most common. The parchment was written only on one side. A 
number of skins were sewed together and preserved in large rolls. 
This Was the manner of writing at Babylon (Ezra vi. 1, 2); and in 
this way the scriptures appear to have been written. (Jer. xxxvi. 2, 
C.) The ten commandments were inscribed on tables of stone. 



38 GENUINENESS OF 

terity, had the writings which contained them 
been spurious. 

A particular tribe of the Hebrews was set 
apart, for the express purpose of preserving 
their scriptures, and performing the religious 
rites which these inculcated. So exact were 
they in maintaining the purity of their divine 
books, that they would suffer death rather than 
alter a single point or letter of them. Guarded 
with such care, it must have been almost im- 
possible that the names of the authors should 
have been changed, or that the period assigned 
should have been any other than the true one. 

Christ, who accused the Pharisees of making 
the law of no effect by their traditions, and who 
enjoined it upon men to search the scriptures, 
never intimated that they had been corrupted. 
This he would not have failed to do, had occa- 
sion required. Josephus, a learned Jew, who 
lived about the middle of the first century, says 
of the books of the Old Testament, " Five of 
them proceeded from Moses : they include as 



What method was taken to preserve their scriptures ? What 
is said of the care taken to guard against any alteration in these 
sacred records ? How did Christ treat the Pharisees ? What 
would he have done, had they altered, or corrupted their scrip- 
tures ? Who was Joseph us ; and when did he live ? 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 39 

well the laws as an account of the creation of 
man, extending to the time of his (Moses') 
death. This period comprehends nearly three 
thousand years. From the death of Moses to 
that of Artaxerxes, who was king of Persia after 
Xerxes, the prophets, who succeeded Moses, 
committed to writing, in thirteen books, what 
was done in their days. The remaining four 
books contain Hymns to God (the Psalms) and 
instructions of life for man." This learned Jew 
ascribed all these books to the authors whose 
names they still retain. 

Two hundred and eighty-two years before 
Christ, the Old Testament was translated into 
Greek at Alexandria. This translation was 
called the Septuagint, and here we find the 
same books, arranged in the same order, and 
ascribed to the same writers, as in our bibles. 
Consequently we have precisely the same 
writings which the ancient Jews declared to 
be genuine. 

What does he say respecting - the books of the Old Testament ? 
What length of time is included in the writing's of Moses, and 
what writers succeeded him? What does the testimony of 
Josephus prove ? How long before Christ was the Old Testa- 
ment translated into Greek, and at what place was this done ? 
What was this translation called, and why was it so called ? 
What books were included in this translation, and in what order 
were they arranged ? 



40 GENUINENESS OF 

But notwithstanding these and many other 
proofs, the enemies of revelation, with a view 
to discredit the whole system of divine truth, 
have maintained that the Pentateuch, or five 
books ascribed to Moses, was not written by 
that legislator. Let us beware of those who 
by their subtlety would deprive us of the rich 
blessings which have resulted from the scrip- 
tures. That there is no reason for distrusting 
the interesting portion of them which has been 
named, I shall now endeavor to show. 

A system of moral and ceremonial laws was 
established among the Israelites from the time 
of their departure from Egypt to their dispersion 
at the taking of Jerusalem. These laws were 
the basis of their political and religious institu- 
tions, and they were believed in every age to 
have proceeded from the hand of Moses. They 
were strictly enjoined upon the whole Jewish 
nation, who were made the depositories and 
keepers of them. " We are, therefore, reduced 
to this dilemma, to acknowledge either that 
these laws were actually delivered by Moses, or 



Is this conclusive evidence, that the bible must have then ex- 
isted, as we now have it ? From what time had the Israelites 
a system of laws ? Of what were these laws the basis ? By 
whom were they believed to have been written ? 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 41 

that a whole nation, during fifteen hundred 
years, groaned under an imposture, without 
once detecting, or even suspecting, the fraud. 
The Athenians believed that their system of 
laws was composed by Solon, and the Spartans 
attributed theirs to Lycurgus, without ever be- 
ing suspected of a mistake in their belief. Why 
then should it be doubted that the rules pre- 
scribed in the Pentateuch were given by Moses? 
To deny it is to assert that an effect may exist 
without a cause, or that a great and important 
revolution may take place without an agency. 
We have therefore an argument, little short of 
mathematical demonstration, that the substance 
of the Pentateuch proceeded from Moses ; and 
that the very words were written by him is at 
least a moral certainty."* 

The same conclusion has been draw r n from 
tracing the history of the Mosaic writings 
through the different periods in which they 
have been known to exist. We find them in 
the time of Christ, for he and his apostles fre- 

What absurd conclusion follows, if we do not admit, that 
Moses delivered these laws 1 By whom did the Athenians and 
Spartans believe their system of laws composed ? Was it 
scarcely possible they should mistake in this ? and was it not 
equally impossible the Jews should mistake ? 
* Home, vol. i. p. 52. 

4* 



42 GENUINENESS OF 

quently quote from them. We have seen that 
they existed and were translated nearly three 
hundred years before the advent of the Messiah. 
The Pentateuch was extant during the Jews' 
captivity at Babylon, five hundred and thirty- 
seven years before Christ, for it is mentioned 
by Daniel. We hear of it again in the time of 
Jehosaphat, king of Judah, who employed his 
princes, and with them sent priests and Levites, 
to publish the book of the law of the Lord, nine 
hundred twelve years before Christ. Solomon 
and David regulated the service of the taberna- 
cle and the temple according to the worship 
prescribed by Moses in the Pentateuch. Still 
further back, Joshua bears testimony to the ex- 
istence of the book of the law in his day. Thus 
he writes by divine authority : " Only be thou 
strong and very courageous, that thou mayest 
observe to do all according to the law, which 
Moses, my servant, commanded thee, — this book 
of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth." 
Joshua was cotemporary with Moses, whom he 
survived. The Pentateuch is, therefore, unde? 
niably the production of Moses. 

Are the Mosaic writings known to have existed in the time of 
Christ, and how is this known 1 At what periods before this, 
are they known to have existed 1 What does Joshua say of the 
book of the law ? What does this prove ? 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 43 

" This conclusion is confirmed by the testi- 
mony of heathen writers. Manetho, Justin, 
Tacitus, and Strabo, testify that Moses was the 
founder of the Jewish laws. Longinus and 
many others speak of him as the legislator of 
the Jews." 

Do any inquire whence Moses could have 
obtained materials for the history which he has 
given in Genesis 1 To this it may be replied, 
that if all scripture were given by inspiration of 
God, the same spirit of inspiration taught him 
which instructed all the other sacred writers. 
Beside this, the facts which he relates might 
have been easily transmitted to him by tradition. 
Enos, the son of Adam, lived until Noah was 
seventy-four years old. And Shem, the son of 
Noah, lived almost as long as Abraham. Thus 
the original revelation made to Adam, together 
with his history, could scarcely fail of being 
correctly handed down to the immediate pro- 
genitor of Moses. The same account might 
have been transmitted in another manner. Be- 

What heathen writers testify, that Moses was the founder of 
the Jewish laws ? How could Moses have obtained the infor- 
mation contained in Genesis 1 Mention some of the principal 
events contained in Genesis. How could the knowledge of 
these events have been preserved? What is the meaning 1 of 
tradition ? How many persons must have lived between Adam 
gind Noah to transmit information from one to the other ? 



44 GENUINENESS OF 

tween Adam and Noah but one man was ne- 
cessary to the transmission of the history of 
1656 years. Methusaleh, the grandfather of 
Noah, was born in the year of the world 687, 
and died in the year 1656, so that he lived to 
see both Adam and Lamech, and was likewise 
contemporary with Noah 600 years. Seth con- 
nected Noah and Abraham, having lived to 
converse with both ; as also Isaac did with 
Abraham and Joseph. Hence, had the book 
of Genesis no other authority, except that of 
tradition, it would be better substantiated than 
the writings of the most reputable Greek and 
Latin historians." 

Notwithstanding this abundant evidence, the 
genuineness of the Pentateuch has been called 
in question, because of expressions and passages 
in it which could not have been written by 
Moses. The account of his death at the close 
of these books, it has been said, could not have 
been written by him. But this may have been 
added by some later prophet, without in any 



Who lived Jong enough to do this ? Who connected Noah 
and Abraham ? Who lived to converse with Abraham and 
Joseph? Had Genesis no authority, except that of tradition, 
how would it compare with the genuineness of Greek and Latin 
histories ? How could the account of Moses 7 death have been 
written ? 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 45 

measure impairing the authority of the history 
to which it is attached. 

It has been objected that the expression, 
" Now the man Moses was very meek above ail 
the men which were upon the face of the earth," 
would not have beep penned by him. But this 
passage might- have been correctly translated, 
" Now the man Moses was depressed, or afflict- 
ed, more than any man.' 1 It might also have 
been introduced by some later prophet, who 
revered his memory, or Moses might have been 
"justified in inserting it by the occasion, which 
required him to repel a foul and envious asper- 
sion of his character." Several other objections 
have been suggested, but they are of too trifling 
a nature to be noticed, or a sufficient reply 
readily suggests itself to those who are not de- 
termined, at all events, to reject the testimony 
of revelation. 

How wonderful a book is the bible. It con- 
tains the most ancient writings of which we 
have any certain information. The pretensions 
of the Chinese to antiquity have long since been 
proved to be fabulous. No authentic history of 

What may be said respecting the passage, u Now the man 
Moses was very meek," &c. ? What book contains the most 
ancient writings ? What is said of the pretensions of the Chi- 
nese to antiquity 1 



46 GENUINENESS OF 

the Egyptians exists more ancient than Sesostris, 
who besieged Jerusalem in the fifth year of 
Rehoboam's reign. The Hindoos have no an- 
cient history which is capable of affording a 
distinct account of their origin, or the events 
which have transpired among them. On the 
other hand, the scriptures can be clearly traced 
to their source. They were commenced in the 
early ages of the world by the inspired legislator 
of that people whom God had selected to be the 
depositories of his truth. With this people the 
bible continued to travel through all their so- 
journings from the foot of Sinai to the city 
of Jerusalem, and has descended with them 
through all their generations. The sublime 
truths it taught were related by fathers to their 
children ; were bound as frontlets between their 
eyes ; were written upon their gates and the 
posts of their doors ; were statedly read before 
their assembled tribes and in their synagogues ; 
and constituted the great charter of all their 
civil and religious privileges. The bible has 
employed the labors of prophets and kings, and 
touched their lips with holy fire ; it has dwelt 



What is said of the history of the Egyptians and of the Hin- 
doos ? How does the scripture history differ from theirs ? 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 47 

beside the ark of the covenant, and filled the 
ancient temple with the glory of the Lord. 

It predicted and welcomed the coming of the 
Son of God, the Saviour of the world. It has 
embodied his instructions, and been sealed 
with his blood. Surviving the long ages of 
darkness, in which almost all human learning 
perished, it shed over the earth the light of the 
reformation in the sixteenth century, which 
continues to shine with increasing lustre in our 
day, and is destined to illuminate the world, and 
fill it with the knowledge of the Lord, as the 
waters cover and fill the channels of the deep. 

The bible has been translated into more lan- 
guages, excited more inquiry and investigation, 
among friends and foes, and done more to im- 
prove the moral condition of the world, than all 
other writings. Its truths have possessed a won- 
derful efficacy in renovating the hearts of men, 
reforming their lives, and bringing them from 
infidel security and degrading vice to live soberly, 
and righteously, and godly in this present evil 
world. Every man will be judged, and receive 
his award for eternity, according to the truths 



What book has been translated into more languages than 
any other ? 



48 GENUINENESS OF 

and precepts of the bible. The word that I 
have spoken, the same shall judge him in the 
last day, saith the Saviour. This is every way 
the most extraordinary book which has ever ap- 
peared on earth, and carries the image of its 
great and wise author impressed on its sacred 
pages. 

How interesting and important a portion of 
revelation is the Old Testament. Here the 
cloud is taken up, and we see creation rising 
into order and beauty under the hand of Omni- 
potence. We hear the Almighty speaking the 
world into existence, and see him peopling it 
with a race of immortal beings. We are taught, 
what could be learned nowhere else, how man 
apostatized, and became a prey to sin and death. 
Early intimations of a Saviour bespeak the im- 
mense importance of faith in his atoning blood. 
The earth deluged for the wickedness of its in- 
habitants; the confusion of tongues at the build- 
ing of Babel; the awful destruction of Sodom 
and the cities of the plain ; teach us the evil of 
sin, and the reverence with which we must con- 
template and approach the living God. In this 

What circumstances render the Old Testament an interesting 
portion of scripture ? Relate some of the principal events, 
which it records. 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 49 

portion of scripture we are presented with the ori- 
gin of the church in the family of Abraham, and 
trace, as on a map, its history down to the advent 
of the promised Messiah. Here too are spread 
before us the visions of the prophets, the devout 
strains of the sweet Psalmist of Israel, and the 
wisest sayings ever written for the regulation of 
human life. How presumptuous and arrogant 
are they who labor to discredit this portion of 
the sacred writings. Though the rites it incul- 
cates have been superseded by the simplicity of 
the gospel, yet will it shed light on the path of 
the believer until the end of time. Wherefore, 
fear God and keep his commandments, for this 
is the whole duty of man. 



DISCOURSE III. 



GENUINENESS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 

Luke i. 4. That thou mightest know the certainty of those 
things wherein thou hast been instructed. 

I shall now proceed to adduce some of the 
evidences of the genuineness of the New Testa- 
ment. The uninterrupted testimony of ages 
now presents itself before us, and we are fur- 
nished with more abundant proof than can be 
found in favor of any other writings of antiquity. 

My first argument is briefly this. The books 
of the New Testament "have been quoted by a 
continued succession of writers, who all agree 
in attributing them to the authors whose names 
they now sustain. Take an illustration. Sup- 
pose the iEneid of Virgil and the Orations of 
Cicero had been quoted, from the period in 
which they were written down to the present 
day, and uniformly attributed to those distin- 



State the argument used to prove the genuineness of the New 
Testament. How is it illustrated ? 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 51 

guished persons, could there be any doubt 
whether they in fact wrote the JEneid and the 
Orations ? Would it not be thought morally 
impossible that there should here be any mis- 
take ? This is precisely the evidence which 
exists in favor of the writings of the New Testa- 
ment. Numerous quotations have been made 
from them in all succeeding periods. Clement, 
Ignatius, and Polycarp, who were acquainted 
with the apostles, and conversed with them, and 
who wrote in the age immediately following that 
of the apostles, quoted from their writings. 
They could not be deceived respecting the au- 
thors or the dates of the sacred books, and they 
referred them to the same we do now. About 
twenty years later, Justin Martyr abundantly 
cited the apostolic writings. Thirty years after 
him, Hegissippus did the same. Irenaeus was 
still more copious in his quotations. " If any 
modern divine should write a book upon the 
genuineness of the gospels, he could not assert 
it more expressly, or state their original more 
distinctly, than Irenseus hath done within little 
more than a hundred years after they were pub- 

What early writers, acquainted with the apostles, quoted from 
the New Testament ? What writers ; at a later period ? What 
length of time between them ? 



52 GENUINENESS OF 

lished."* Clement immediately succeeded, and 
was followed by Tertullian. Both these writers 
assert the universal reception of the gospels, and 
their antiquity. Dr. Lardner observes, respect- 
ing Tertullian, " that there are more and larger 
quotations of the small volume of the New Tes- 
tament in this one Christian author, than there 
are of all the works of Cicero in writers of all 
characters for several ages." The same kind of 
testimony is continued down through Origen, 
Cyprian, Arnobius, Lactantius, and Eusebius, 
until there can be no question on the subject; 
" quotations becoming as numerous as the refer- 
ences to scripture in the discourses of modern 
divines." Were there no other proof, this alone 
would be sufficient to convince every candid 
mind. 

But it may be further observed, that the books 
of the New Testament were early and frequently 
read in the churches, and acknowledged to be 
the writings of the apostles. To recur to the 
illustration before used. Suppose the works of 

Repeat the remark of Dr. Lardner respecting* Tertullian. 
Through what other writers is this testimony continued ? How 
numerous did quotations finally become ? What evidence of 
the genuineness of the Nevy Testament, is derived from the 
practice of the churches 1 How is this explained ? 
* Dr. Paley, 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 53 

Cicero and Virgil, soon after being published, 
had been introduced into seminaries of learning 
throughout the Roman empire, and the study of 
them had been deemed essential to a good edu- 
cation ; and suppose this had continued to be 
the case down to the present day, how is it pos- 
sible that a mistake could have occurred re- 
specting the authors of those writings. Or sup- 
pose Webster's spelling book should continue in 
general use for two centuries, or ten centuries 
to come, who would doubt at the end of that 
period whether he wrote this book ? If the 
New Testament was not read in schools, it was 
constantly read in the churches, and preserved 
by them with the utmost veneration. The epis- 
tles of Paul were directed to the churches which 
had been founded at Rome, Corinth, in Galatia, 
at Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse, Thessalonica, and 
to the Hebrews in general. All the epistles, 
together with the other books of the New Tes- 
tament, were early and eagerly perused by large 
societies. A knowledge of them was deemed 
essential to present duty and final salvation. 
The practice of reading them publicly in the 



To what churches were the epistles of Paul directed 1 What 
was thought respecting- a knowledge of these epistles ? 

5* 



54 GENUINENESS OF 

churches was universal for centuries. Who 
then can entertain a doubt respecting their 
origin ? How certainly do we possess the true 
account of their authors and the time when 
they were written. 

The Christian scriptures were soon collected 1 
into a volume, which was distinguished by ap* 
propriate titles. According to Ignatius and 
others, this was done previous to the close of 
the first century. From this period no altera^ 
tion could have easily taken place in the names 
of the sacred writers; and previous to this, we 
approach too near the apostolic age to suppose 
an alteration practicable. 

Catalogues and commentaries were early pub-* 
lished, which show that there has been no 
changing of the authors to whom the different 
books of the New Testament are attributed. 

Different sects appeared, professing Chris- 
tianity, and all of them appealed to the same 
scriptures for the support of their respective 
opinions. They agreed in acknowledging the 
same writings genuine, and of paramount au- 

Mention the books of the New Testament. When were these 
collected into a volume ? Could any alteration have been made 
in the names of these books since that time 1 Were any cata- 
logues of these books published, and when 1 How did different 
sects regard the scriptures ? 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 55 

thority. This would never have been done by 
disputants, differing essentially in their views 
of religious truth, had there been any doubt, or 
ground of debate, on this important point. 

Another argument to be mentioned is, that 
iranslations of the New Testament were made 
in the second century, and in the course of one 
.or two centuries more were greatly multiplied. 
At this early period the gospel was published in 
different languages, and circulated and read 
over three quarters of the then known world. 
The names of the writers, as we now have 
them, went along with the writings. From this 
time it is impossible that any alteration should 
have taken place; unless we suppose that men 
of different nations, sentiments, and languages, 
and often exceedingly hostile to each other, 
should all agree in one forgery. Such an event 
has never been known, and to suppose it to have 
taken place, is to suppose as great a miracle as 
any recorded in the bible. Let me explain. 



Would they have agreed respecting them, had there been any 
doubt whether they were genuine 1 What is said of translations 
of the New Testament ? What is meant by a translation 1 
How early and extensively was the gospel published and read 
in different languages ? What is necessary, in order that there 
should have been any alteration in the books of the N. T. after 
this time ? 



56 GENUINENESS OF 

Grant that Addison's writings are now trans- 
lated into the language of every civilized nation 
under the sun, and that they are every where 
ascribed to him. Can it be, without a miracle, 
that in one or two centuries his name should be 
erased from all these books, that all people 
should agree in attributing them to another au- 
thor, and that no person existing should have 
any knowledge of this alteration ? The event 
would contradict all the laws of human nature, 
as well as the uniform experience of ages. 
With greater propriety might we reject all the 
other writings in the world, and throw aside all 
human testimony, than deny the genuineness of 
the New Testament. 

Even the enemies of Christianity have, unde- 
signedly, furnished conclusive evidence on this 
subject. Celsus, a bitter opposer of religion, 
wrote in opposition to the Gospels, about one 
hundred years after they were published. He 
has consequently shown that there were such 
books at that time, and that they were received 
and credited by Christians. He makes no ob- 



How is the difficulty of a forgery in the sacred writings illus- 
trated by the writings of Addison ? What absurdities would 
arise from rejecting the genuineness of the N. T. ? What evi- 
dence have the enemies of Christianity furnished on this subject ? 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 57 

jection to their genuineness. This he would 
not have failed to do had he the least hope of 
doing it successfully. Porphyry wrote against 
the Christian religion in the third century. 
Supposing that to destroy the credit of the Gos- 
pels and Acts of the apostles would be destruc- 
tive to Christianity, he directed his attacks 
against these, and has thereby shown their gen* 
eral reception in his day. A century later Ju- 
lian, in his attack upon Christianity, calls the 
Gospels and Acts of the apostles by the names 
which we now give them. He expresses no 
doubt of their genuineness, but implies that he 
believed it fully established. Thus God has 
made the wrath of man to praise him, in causing 
the writers against Christianity to yield an un- 
willing testimony in its favor, and to aid in con- 
firming the faith of believers down to the end of 
time. 

How much reason have we to admire the 
divine goodness in preserving the scriptures, 
and furnishing such conclusive evidence in their 
favor. Time, the destroyer of all the works of 
men, has not obscured this celestial light. How 

Who were some of their writers, and at what periods did they 
live ? Why have we reason to admire the divine goodness in 
preserving the scriptures ■? 



58 GENUINENESS OP 

many cities and empires have gone down to ob- 
livion, with all their once proud monuments of 
art, since the bible commenced its bright career. 
Who has survived to tell posterity the improve- 
ments, the splendor, the minute history of nationSj 
which once filled the earth with their victories 
and the terror of their names? Dark ages have 
rolled over them, and covered them deep in ob- 
scurity, like the habitations buried beneath the 
eruptions of a burning mountain. Other inhab- 
itants walk over the sepulchres of the dead, re- 
gardless of those who once peopled the places 
they now occupy. The scriptures have outlived 
all these ravages. They have arisen, like a 
Phoenix, from the ashes of Jerusalem and the 
tomb of departed nations. 

They have survived, too, the rage of the most 
inveterate, the most potent enemies. Kings 
and emperors have set themselves to annihilate 
this holy book. They have decreed it to the 
flames, and made death the portion of any who 
should dare to preserve it in their houses. Still 
it lives. It lives to bless the world with heav- 
enly light, to guide our feet in the way of peace 



What has become of most of the other works of antiquity ? 
What have the scriptures had opposed to them ? 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 59 

and salvation. What, except the immediate 
care of Jehovah, could have secured it from 
the wastes of time, and the fury of enemies. 
How much occasion have we for gratitude to 
God for affording us these lively oracles, for 
bringing them down to us from distant ages, to 
instruct us in our duties, to show us our condi- 
tion of guilt and moral ruin by nature, and point 
us to the Lamb of God to take away our sin. 

Careless youth, think how much you owe to 
the sacred scriptures. To them you are in- 
debted for that parental care and tenderness 
which watched over your helpless infancy ; for 
that solicitude which listened to your feeble cry, 
and hastened to relieve your every want. To 
the scriptures it is owing that you were not 
born in heathen lands, and sacrificed to the 
Moloch of superstition. The bible has given 
rise to all your means of mental and moral ele- 
vation; to all the sweet endearments of home 
and kindred; all that is most delightful in social 
intercourse ; all just views of God and Christ, 
and the method of salvation. Learn then to 
prize this book above every earthly treasure. 



Why have they not been utterly destroyed and lost ? What 
do we owe to the scriptures ? 



60 GENUINENESS OF, &c. 

It is of more value than rubies. Rely upon its 
truth with unwavering confidence. Pray that 
its spirit may be wrought into your minds, and 
its precepts may shape all your conduct. Awake 
from your indifference and stupidity before they 
have become riveted upon you, and your deliv- 
erance has become hopeless. 

Thoughtful youth, meditate with increasing 
solemnity on the momentous truths of the bible. 
They will be the arbiters of your eternal state,* 
awarding to you everlasting life or death accord- 
ing as you have improved or neglected them. 
Never suffer yourself to doubt whether God will 
be true to his word. Yield with implicit confi- 
dence to the terms of the gospel. Follow the 
Saviour whithersoever he leads, and "when this 
chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a 

crown of glory, that fadeth not away." 

* 

How ought we to treat the scriptures ? 



DISCOURSE IV. 



AUTHENTICITY OF THE SCRIPTURES. 

John iii. 11. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, we speak that 
we do know, and testify that we have seen, and ye receive not 
our witness. 

Having attended to the genuineness of the 
sacred writings, I shall now proceed to state 
some of the evidences of their authenticity. A 
book may be genuine which is not authentic ; 
or, in other words, the writers and the time 
when it was composed may be known, though 
it may not relate facts as they really happened. 
The authenticity of writings implies that the 
accounts they give are true ; that they conse- 
quently possess authority, and ought to govern 
our belief. That this is the case with the scrip- 
tures appears, 

I. From the consideration that those who 
have delivered them to us had a perfect know- 



What is meant by the authenticity of writings ? What is- the 
difference between genuine and authentic ? State the argument 
to prove, that the scriptures are authentic ? 

6 



($2 AUTHENTICITY OF 

ledge of the subjects of which they have 
treated. 

Christ asserts not merely of himself, but of 
the prophets, " We speak that we do know, and 
testify that we have seen." Christ is here speak- 
ing particularly of regeneration by the Holy 
Spirit. This subject had been clearly unfolded 
to the prophets. By them the Lord had testified 
to Israel, " A new heart will I give you, and a 
new spirit will I put within you, and I will cause 
you to walk in my statutes and keep my com- 
mandments." The chief desire of the Psalmist 
was, " Create in me a clean heart, O God ; and 
renew a right spirit within me." Every sacred 
writer knew assuredly, that without this change 
there could be nothing except a worthless form of 
religion ; that there could be no spiritual worship, 
or holy affections. But the declaration of the 
Saviour admits of a more extensive application. 
It may imply that those who have delivered us a 
revelation had a thorough knowledge of all the 
subjects on which they have treated. Many of 
them were principal agents in carrying on the 
events recorded. Moses was the legislator and 

What does Christ say of himself and the other sacred writers I 
How much does his declaration imply? What part did the 
writers take in the transactions they record ? 



THE SCRIPTURES. 63 

governor of the Jews, and every thing was done 
under his eye. Joshua succeeded him in con- 
troling the affairs of the nation. The book 
ascribed to him is little more than his own biog- 
raphy. The prophets were also judges of Israel, 
and chief actors in what they relate. The com- 
munications of God were made to them per- 
sonally, and they are the proper witnesses of 
what they saw and heard, in supernatural ap- 
pearances, and from the mouth of the Lord. 
They were present at the transactions recorded, 
and testified to what they had seen, or were 
taught by the spirit of inspiration. Public annals 
appear likewise to have been consulted, and are 
probably referred to in the mention made of the 
" book of the wars of the Lord," " the book of 
Jasher," and some others. The writings of all 
the prophets were published at a time when the 
facts could have been easily ascertained, and 
they never could have gained credit, had they 
not been true. But they were universally be- 
lieved, and transmitted with the utmost care to 
posterity. 

Give some account of Moses^ and of Joshua. Had the pro- 
phets anything- to do with the government of Israel 1 What 
sources of information had they ? How were the communica- 
tions of God made to them 1 At what time were the writings 
of the prophets published % How were these regarded ? 



64 AUTHENTICITY OP 

The writers of the New Testament were 
either eye-witnesses of what they relate, or had 
the best means of knowing the truth. Matthew, 
John, Peter, James, and Jude, were all Jews, 
and resided at Jerusalem, where the gospel was 
first published. Paul was a native of Tarsus, 
but had lived a long time at Jerusalem, and ac- 
quired a knowledge of the Jewish religion, pre- 
viously to his conversion. After this event, he 
was an associate with the apostles, and must 
have had an accurate account of all which re- 
spected the Saviour.* Mark, though not an 
apostle, wrote under the inspection of Peter, and 
his writings are consequently sanctioned by 
apostolic authority. Luke had the approbation 
of Paul, in composing his Gospel and the Acts 
of the Apostles. All these writers were cotem- 
porary with the events of which they speak, and 
might justly say, u We testify that we do know, 

To what nation did the writers of the N. T. belong ? Where 
did they reside, and what advantage did their place of residence 
afford them 1 Of what city was Paul a native ? What oppor- 
tunity had he of acquiring a knowledge of the Saviour 7 Men- 
tion some evidence, that the writings of Mark and Luke are 
authentic. 

* He was taught likewise from a higher source. He retired into 
Arabia, where he received the communications from the Lord Jesus, 
concerning which he says to the Galatians, " L certify you, brethren, 
that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man; for I 
neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revela- 
tion of Jesus Christ." 



THE SCRIPTURES. 65 

that we have seen." The witnesses are amply 
sufficient. No profane history, since the world 
began, has been so fully attested. The transac- 
tions related were public, and errors must have 
been immediately detected. " I spake openly 
to the world," saith Christ, " I ever taught in 
the synagogue and in the temple, whither the 
Jews always resort, and in secret have I said 
nothing." No attempt was ever made to con- 
tradict or refute the testimony of his disciples, 
even by his bitterest enemies, and we may con- 
elude with certainty that they have published 
the truth. 

2. The sacred writers had no motives for 
practising deception, nor could the histories 
they have recorded be the works of human inven- 
tion. No impostors would ever have given men 
laws so holy, so excellent for the regulation of 
their conduct ; laws, which condemn the smallest 
sin, and even prohibit every evil thought and 
criminal desire. No deceiver would ever frame 
statutes, condemning all deception and falsehood, 



What might these writers say of themselves 1 What would 
have been the consequence of errors in their writings ? How 
did the enemies of Christ treat the testimony of his disciples 1 
Repeat some evidence, derived from the nature of the laws and 
the doctrines they inculcate, that the scriptures are not the work 
of impostors. 

6* 



66 AUTHENTICITY OF 

and threatening those who were guilty of them 
with the penalty of eternal death. This punish- 
ment the scriptures have actually denounced 
against all liars. They have therefore given 
strong presumptive evidence of their truth. 

No conceivable motive could have induced 
Moses, had it been possible for him, to invent 
the accounts he has given, and palm them upon 
others. He could not have been influenced by 
the desire of aggrandizing himself or his family; 
for he particularly mentions his own infirmities 
and sins, and makes no attempt to secure the 
applause of men. He explicitly states his being 
slow of speech, his impatience at one time, his 
unbelief at another, and his rebelling against the 
commandment of the Lord at another, for which 
he was excluded from the promised land. 

In the same manner he describes the failings 
of his nearest connections. The sons of Aaron 
are related to have perished by the hand of God 
for their violation of the ritual law ; the tribe 
of the law-giver were involved in the rebellion 
of the Jews on the return of the spies; of his 
own sons he has given no particular account. 

What does Moses write in regard to himself, and what does 
his manner of writing prove ? Could he have had any induce- 
ment to give the accounts he has, had they been false 1 



THE SCRIPTURES. 67 

How different is all this from a work of fiction, 
designed to establish and perpetuate the fame 
of the writer. 

That Moses was not an enthusiast appears in 
his education and apparent temper of mind. He 
was educated in all the learning of Egypt, which 
was at that time the seat of literature for the 
known world. He was not rash and precipitate, 
but retiring and diffident. " Who am I," saith 
he, " that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I 
should bring forth the children of Israel out of 
Egypt." Again he objects, " Behold they will 
not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice ; for 
they will say, the Lord hath not appeared unto 
thee." This is not the language of impatient 
enthusiasm, which can see no difficulties ; it is 
calm deliberation anticipating future realities. 

No worldly greatness could have influenced 
Moses in his undertaking. He was probably 
heir apparent to the throne of Egypt, and might 
have enjoyed the luxury and splendor of one of 
the highest stations on earth. But he chose to 
suffer affliction with the people of God, in pre- 
ference to the most elevated rank and the largest 

How does it appear, that Moses was not an enthusiast ? What 
was the character of Moses ? To what was he heir, and what 
did he choose ? 



68 AUTHENTICITY OF 

extent of empire. Such a writer could not have 
been swayed by ambition. Whatever comes 
from him carries the impress of truth on the 
face of it. 

Much of the history he has recorded must 
have been true, for he relates facts which he 
affirms took place in the presence of six hun- 
dred thousand men. Had not these statements 
been correct, he could with the utmost ease 
have been convicted of falsehood. Yet he urges 
these facts as the most powerful motives for be- 
lieving and obeying the Lord their God. Hear 
his appeal, Ye know this day, for I speak not 
unto your children, that have not knoion them ; 
after rehearsing a number of the most affect- 
ing events, he concludes : for your eyes have 
seen all these great acts of the Lord, which he 
did. " Could Moses have established his au* 
thority among the thousands of Israel by alleg- 
ing that he had performed various miracles in 
their behalf previously to their departure from 
Egypt ; that they had seen rivers turned into 
blood ; frogs filling the houses of the Egyptians; 
their fields desolated by hail and locusts ; their 

How does it appear, that the facts he relates must be true ? 
What appeal does Moses make to the people ? Relate some of 
the miracles, which he tells them, they had seen. 



THE SCRIPTURES. 69 

land covered for three days with darkness ; their 
first-born slain in one night ; the Red sea form- 
ing a wall for the Israelites, but overwhelming 
their enemies ; a pillar of cloud and of fire con- 
ducting them • manna falling from heaven for 
their food ; the earth opening and destroying 
their opponents ; could Moses have confirmed 
his authority by relating these events, had they 
been false ? They are of a nature to preclude 
the possibility of imposition ; and by appealing to 
his adversaries who witnessed the transactions, 
he has given the most incontestibie proof of the 
authenticity of his writings." 

What has been said of Moses, is substantially 
true of all the other sacred penmen. The apos- 
tles had nothing to gain by publishing the gos- 
pel, had it been false. They could not have 
aspired to honor or emolument, for they knew 
that their faith subjected them to the loss of all 
things. Christ warned them to expect persecu- 
tion, ignominy, and death, if they adhered to his 
instructions. To endure all this in propagating 
a system of known falsehood, would be contrary 
to every principle of our nature and of moral 



What does the appeal of Moses prove ? Why can we not 
suppose, the apostles have published a false gospel ? 



70 AUTHENTICITY OF 

beings. In subjecting themselves to every 
species of suffering, and laying down their lives 
for the testimony of Jesus, they have given the 
highest evidence in the power of mortals to give, 
of the truth of what they have recorded. 

Their whole conduct shows that they were not 
hurried away by a blind enthusiasm, but were 
slow to believe without thorough investigation 
and the fullest proof. Of this the unbelief of 
Thomas, respecting the resurrection of Christ, 
affords a striking example. 

The character and acts ascribed to Christ 
could never have been the result of mere human 
invention. He who did no sin, neither was 
guile found in his lips, was without a parallel in 
the history of the world. The imagination of 
depraved beings could never have brought to- 
gether an assemblage of virtuous and benevolent 
actions to form a spotless character like his, had 
it not actually existed. You see the sun rising 
in splendor and majesty, in a moment darting 
his rays over fields and forests, mountains and 
vallies, seas and continents ; and you know in- 



What does their conduct show ? Give an example to prove 
they were slow to believe 1 Why could not a character like 
that of Christ have been described; had he never appeared on 
earth ? How is this illustrated ? 



THE SCRIPTURES. 71 

iuitively* that human power and skill never 
Formed this glorious luminary. You are equally 
certain, that human learning and ingenuity 
never portrayed the character of Him who is 
" the light of the world;" without an original. 
It must have been utterly beyond the reach of 
finite minds to fill up the picture with the divine 
excellencies which shone in Immanuel. The 
writers must have copied from real life, and pre- 
sented facts as they were actually set before 
them. 

The historical accounts related by the apostles 
could not have been the work of human inven- 
tion. The story that one, whose death was pub- 
lic and generally known, had arisen from the 
dead ; that the sun was darkened at the time of 
his crucifixion ; and that there was a great 
earthquake at that moment, could never have 
gained credit with those who lived in the same 
age, unless the events had actually taken place. 
Nor could the apostles have appeared to be en- 
dued with the gift of tongues and actually have 
had power to speak in languages which they had 
never acquired, unless this had been a reality. 



Why could not the accounts, related by the apostles, have 
been the work of human invention ? 



72 AUTHENTICITY OF 

Many similar events might be mentioned, in 
which there could have been no deception, and 
which unquestionably prove the truth of the 
sacred record. 

You may know by your own experience that 
the word of God is true. Repent and believe 
the gospel, and you will find it so admirably 
suited to your necessities, as to remove all doubt 
of its origin. You will find it has given a just 
description of your heart, of your vain thoughts, 
your repeated violations of the law of God, and 
consequent danger as a sinner. You will know 
it has described your true character, and the 
way in which you have obtained peace and re- 
conciliation with God through the Redeemer. 
Make trial for yourself. Let the law of God, 
which condemns you for every sinful thought, 
word, and action, convince you of your lost state. 
Let your affections be surrendered in love to 
Christ. Obey the divine command, My son, 
give me thine heart. " If any man will do his 
will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it 
be 'of God." 

Since the Scriptures are true, we learn the 

What evidence, originating in yourself, can you have, that 
the word of God is true ? How can this evidence be obtained ? 
What inference follows from the truth of the scriptures ? 



THE SCRIPTURES. 73 

extreme guilt of making light of them. Many 
have been led away with the error of the wicked, 
and brought by insensible degrees, to the crimi- 
nal practice of introducing expressions of the 
Bible into their sports and amusements, and 
common conversation, to give a zest to their 
profane wit. But the sacred record contains 
truths of tremendous import to all who thus 
abuse them ; truths which are indeed able to 
make wise unto salvation through faith in Christ; 
but which become a savor of death unto death 
to those who treat them with irreverence. Their 
sin is committed directly and immediately against 
the great God, and is exceedingly aggravated. 
Have you ever been guilty of trifling with the 
holy scriptures ? Pray God to forgive you ; to 
teach you by his Holy Spirit, and Jead you into 
all truth. " If thou seek him, he will be found 
of thee ; if thou forsake him, he will cast thee 
off forever." 



DISCOURSE V. 



AUTHENTICITY OF THE SCRIPTURES. 

John iii. 11. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, we speak that 
we do know, and testify that we have seen 5 and ye receive not 
our witness. 

I have endeavored to show the authenticity 
of the scriptures, 

1. From the consideration that those who de- 
livered them to us had a perfect knowledge of 
the subjects of which they have treated ; and 

2. The sacred writers had no motives for 
practising deception, nor could the histories they 
have recorded be the work of human invention. 
If you regard these subjects with that interest 
which their importance demands you will give 
your attention to what is proposed, 

3. To prove the authenticity, or truth of the 
scriptures from the ordinances and institutions 
which commemorate the principal facts related 
in them. These ordinances beginning at the 

Repeat the arguments, which have been discussed, to prove 
the authenticity of the scriptures. What other evidence is here 
mentioned 1 



THE SCRIPTURES. 75 

time when the event happened, and statedly ob- 
served in remembrance of it, afford undeniable 
evidence that it really occurred. Let me men- 
tion one or two examples. The landing of our 
forefathers on Plymouth rock, took place Dec. 
22, 1620; and the Declaration of American In- 
dependence was published July 4, 1776. The 
day of the year on which these events happened 
has been celebrated down to this time, and this 
annual celebration affords unquestionable proof 
that these events really occurred; and it will 
afford proof of the same, equally clear and cer- 
tain, thousands of years to come, should such 
days continue to be observed so long. There is 
no period when it would have been possible to 
have introduced the celebration, had not the 
events taken place, for every one would have 
known the deception. 

To what purpose should we attempt to con- 
vince people that on a certain day our ancestors 
arrived on these shores ; and on another they 
declared themselves independent of the British 
government, had there been no truth in these 
things? Suppose they never had occurred, and 
it were now proposed to introduce the celebra- 

Give an example in which ordinances prove the truth of what 
they commemorate. Why do they ? 



76 AUTHENTICITY OF 

tion of them as though they took place last year. 
Would not all agree in saying, We never heard 
of these events before ; there has been no remem- 
brance of them preserved ; no proof that they 
existed. On the contrary, we are sure they did 
not, and we will not keep a day on their account. 
Now apply these examples to the ordinances and 
institutions mentioned in the scriptures. 

Circumcision was observed among the Jews 
from the time of Abraham through all succeed- 
ing generations. It commemorated the estab- 
lishment of the church in the family of that emi- 
nent believer, the covenant of God with him and 
his seed, and the application of circumcision, as 
the seal of this covenant, to all the men of his 
house. This ordinance never could have been 
observed from that time onward, as commemo- 
rative of these events, had they not actually ta- 
ken place. 

The passover was a feast kept every year to 
commemorate the protection of the Israelites 
when the first born of the Egyptians were de- 
stroyed. The feast of tabernacles, also, and 

What would people say to an attempt to introduce the cele- 
bration of events, which had never occurred ? What religious 
rite was commenced in the family of Abraham ? What did it 
commemorate ? How long was it observed ? For what pur- 
pose was the Passover kept 1. 



THE SCRIPTURES. 77 

that of Pentecost, were annually observed ; the 
former in memory of the journeying of Israel in 
the desert, and the latter in memory of the giv- 
ing of the law from Sinai. These festivals were 
kept by the whole nation. They were founded 
on facts of public notoriety, and could no more 
have been introduced without the actual exis- 
tence of those facts, than the practice of cele- 
brating our independence without the cause to 
which we ascribe its origin. 

Ordinances which confirm the principal facts 
related in the gospel have been continued down 
to our day. These are baptism and the Lord's 
supper. Christ instituted baptism as a seal, or 
badge of discipleship; a declaration of the inti- 
mate relation in which his followers stand to 
God the Father as their Creator, God the Son 
as their Redeemer, and God the Holy Ghost as 
their Sanctifier. The evening before his cruci- 
fixion, the Saviour appointed the sacrament of 
the supper to be kept in commemoration of his 
death. These ordinances have been universally 
observed among his disciples through all subse- 

Why was the feast of Tabernacles observed ? Why that of 
Pentecost 1 Who observed these festivals ? How could they 
have been introduced ? What ordinances under the gospel 1 
Give the reasons for the appointment of each. How have they 
been observed ? 

7 * 



78 AUTHENTICITY OF 

quent ages. The first day of the week, likewise', 
has been kept sacred in honor of his resurrec- 
tion, and completion of the great work of re- 
demption. How is it possible that this institu- 
tion and these ordinances, beginning at the 
time, could have been generally adopted had not 
the events been real on which they are founded? 
Men never could have been persuaded, to any 
great extent, solemnly to commemorate that as 
true which at the same time they were sure was 
false. The institutions demonstrate the truth of 
the facts related. 

4. The authenticity or truth of the scriptures 
is confirmed by the concurrent testimony of 
general history. Some faint traces of the lead- 
ing historical events related in the bible have 
been discovered among the most enlightened 
heathen nations. Among them, indeed, these 
accounts are too much mixed with absurd fable, 
and enveloped in too deep obscurity to afford 
any certain knowledge, or consistent history, 
without the scriptures. The bible carries us 
back, by a luminous path, to the creation, and 

What alteration was made respecting- the Sabbath ? What 
does it now commemorate ? What do we learn from these or- 
dinances 1 Is anything discoverable among heathen nations to 
prove the truth of the Bible 1 What is the difference between 
their accounts and those of the scriptures ? 



THE SCRIPTURES. ?g 

enables us to view the dealings of God with men 
in the clear light of noon day. But the twilight 
is not without its use. It shows that objects do 
actually exist, though seen imperfectly. The 
few hints and allusions handed down among 
heathen nations, constitute this twilight, and 
serve to confirm the accounts of scripture. 

The Hindoo, Chinese, and many other na- 
tions, have preserved traditions of a primeval 
chaos and the production of all things by the 
efficiency of a Supreme Mind, which bear a near 
resemblance to the Mosaic account of creation. 
The clearness and precision of the one, however, 
and the fable of the other, sufficiently distinguish 
the sacred narrative from the distorted tradition. 
Do not the heathen traditions, that men once 
enjoyed complete happiness, that spring was 
perpetual, that the earth yielded her increase 
spontaneously, go to confirm the declarations of 
scripture respecting the primitive purity and 
felicity of our first parents. Does not the ac- 
count of paradise and a promised Saviour, re- 
ceive confirmation in the fabled golden age, and 

Mention some nations, which have preserved traditions, simi- 
lar to the facts related in the sacred record. Relate some of 
these traditions. 



80 AUTHENTICITY OF 

the garden of Hesperides?* Do we not see the 
truth of the first fatal act of disobedience recog- 
nised in the ' Legend of Pandora? Led by a 
criminal curiosity to open a casket which had 
been given her by Jupiter, she let loose all the 
evil and wretchedness found among men : 
Hope alone ; hope in a long remembered and 
promised deliverer, remained at the bottom of 
the casket.' 

The present condition of the human race 
would afford unquestionable evidence of the 
apostacy, were there no concurrent proofs. 
That the fall of man was a real transaction ap- 
pears in the labors, sorrows, afflictions, and death 
to which we are exposed, and in the jarring 
passions which agitate the human mind. In 
the discord of reason and conscience with sen- 
sual appetites, man is at war with himself, and 
shows that he is not what he was when he pro- 
ceeded from the hand of his Maker. Accord- 
ingly it is written, " God hath made man up- 
State the argument derived from the present condition of 
mankind. 

* This garden was the fabled place where Hercules plucked the 
golden apples. They were carefully guarded by a dragon which 
never slept. Hercules is represented as gathering the apples, while 
the dragon appears bowing down his head, as having received a mor- 
tal wound. 



THE SCRIPTURES. 81 

right, but they have sought out many inventions. 
The crown is fallen from our head. In the day 
thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die." 

The declarations of scripture which teach the 
corruption of our natures in consequence of the 
first transgression, are supported by the writings 
of early heathen philosophers. " Pythagoras 
termed this corruption, the fatal companion, the . 
noxious strife that lurks within us, and which 
was born along with us. Sopater called it the 
sin that is born with mankind. Plato styled it 
natural wickedness. Aristotle, the natural re- 
pugnancy of man's temper to reason : and all the 
Greek and Roman philosophers complain of the 
depraved and degenerate condition of mankind, 
of their propensity to every thing that is evil, 
and their aversion to every thing that is good. 
Seneca observes, that we are born in such a 
condition that we are not subject to fewer disor- 
ders of the mind than of the body. That all 
vices are, in all men, though they do not break 
out in every one ; and that to confess them is 
the beginning of our cure. Horace declared 
that mankind rush into wickedness, and always 

What have heathen philosophers said respecting the corrup- 
tion of our natures ? How does their testimony accord with the 
scriptures ? 



82 AUTHENTICITY OF 

desire what is forbidden ; that youth has the 
softness of wax to receive vicious impressions, 
and the hardness of rock to resist virtuous ad- 
monitions ; and, in short, that we are mad 
enough to attack heaven itself." Do any deny 
their depravity and apostacy from God? Let 
them blush for their unbelief, and go to the be- 
nighted Pagans for instruction if they will not 
credit the sacred record. 

In nothing does general history more strik- 
ingly concur with the doctrines of the bible, 
than in the testimony it gives to the universal 
practice of offering expiatory sacrifices. The 
conviction has been common in all ages, that 
men were sinners and needed an atonement for 
sin. They have almost universally agreed, in 
their savage state, in offering slain beasts and 
staining their altars with human blood to take 
away their guilt and appease the wrath of 
heaven. And do not these rites exhihit some 
dark, perverted tradition of the great sacrifice to 
be offered on Calvary ? Do we not see, in the 
universal dread of the vengeance of Deity and 
the eagerness to avert it by offerings, a recogni- 

In what have men, in their savage state, generally agreed ? 
Whence did they derive the idea of sacrifices, and to what 
event; although entirely perverted, might they refer ? 



THE SCRIPTURES. 83 

tion of the scripture truths, that God is angry 
with the wicked every day, but that there is 
mercy and forgiveness for the penitent, in Christ 
Jesus ? 

History furnishes abundant proof of the del- 
uge, and confirms what the word of God has 
taught us on this awful subject. 

Between the account of Lucian, a Greek his- 
torian, and that of the sacred scriptures, there is 
a striking resemblance. He has given a de- 
scription of what the Greeks termed the flood of 
Deucalion, from the name of the person whom 
they suppose was preserved. Melo, a violent 
enemy of the Jews, and whose testimony on this 
subject is consequently the more valuable, takes 
notice of a person who was saved with his sons 
from the flood. Aby'denus gives an account of 
the deluge from which Xisuthrus, the Chaldean 
Noah, was saved ; and asserts that the ark first 
rested on the mountains of Armenia. Plutarch, 
in his history, mentions the flood. Sir William 
Jones informs us that the Chinese believe the 
earth to have been once wholly covered with 



What scripture truth is illustrated by the universal dread of 
the divine displeasure ? What do we learn from general his- 
tory respecting the deluge ? What heatfeen writers have men- 
tioned this event ? 



84 AUTHENTICITY OF 

water. The same author assures us that the 
Hindoos have preserved among them the ac- 
count of an universal deluge. Tradition has 
perpetuated the memory of this event among 
many of the savage tribes, both on the eastern 
and western continents. 

The scriptural account of the flood is likewise 
confirmed by facts existing in almost every quar- 
ter of the globe. It is evinced by large beds of 
sea shells found hundreds of miles from the 
ocean, and on some of the most lofty mountains ; 
by the remains of trees and vegetable produc- 
tions,- discovered at great depths in the earth; 
and by the organic remains of a former world 
found in caves, or enclosed in rocks, bearing their 
silent testimony to the truth of revelation. 

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is 
noticed by Strabo, Tacitus, and Josephus, who 
essentially agree with the scriptures in their re- 
lation of this event. 

The Greeks appear to have borrowed many 
of their customs from the Jews. I will notice 
but two instances. " Solon, in conformity with 
the Jewish practice, decreed that the time of the 

What facts confirm the scriptural account of the flood ? What 
historians speak of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah ? 
See Gen. xix. 



THE SCRIPTURES. 85 

sun setting on the mountains should be deemed 
the last hour of the day. Lycurgus distributed 
the possession of lands by lot, and rendered 
them inalienable," as Joshua had done, when 
the twelve tribes were settled in Judea. 

Who does not see a correspondence between 
the Egyptian tradition of four departures of the 
sun from his regular course, and the account 
of Joshua, "That the sun stood still in the midst 
of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a 
whole day," and the declaration in the time of 
Hezekiah, that " The sun went back ten de- 
grees on the dial of Ahaz." History, in short, 
abounds with correspondencies which confirm 
the authenticity of the scriptures. 

This is particularly true in regard to the New 
Testament. Many instances might be mention- 
ed, but a few must suffice.* It is written, that 
when Pilate had scourged Jesus, he delivered 
him to be crucified ; that he, bearing his cross, 
went forth ; that the soldiers came and brake the 



What customs do the Greeks appear to have borrowed from 
the Jews 1 How does Egyptian tradition, concerning- the sun, 
correspond with the scriptures 1 What circumstances, men- 
tioned in the iNew Testament; receive confirmation from pro- 
fane history 1 

*The reader is requested to consult Dr. Paley's Evidences of 
Christianity, upon this part of the subject. 

8 



86 AUTHENTICITY OF 

legs of the first, and of the other which was cru- 
cified with him." History informs us that it 
was customary to treat those who were crucified 
in this manner. We read in Acts xii., that 
"On a set day, Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, 
sat upon his throne and made an oration ; and 
the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice 
of a god and not of a man : and immediately 
the angel of the Lord smote him, because he 
gave not God the glory : and he was eaten of 
worms and gave up the ghost. 5 ' The same 
event is attested by Josephus. This historian 
says of it, " Early in the morning, Herod came 
into the theatre, dressed in a robe of silver, of 
most curious workmanship. The rays of the 
rising sun reflected from such a splendid garb, 
gave him a majestic and awful appearance. 
They called him a god ; and intreated him to 
be propitious to them, saying, Hitherto we have 
respected you as a man : now we acknowledge 
you to be more than mortal. The king neither 
reproved these persons nor rejected the impious 
flattery. Immediately after this he was seized 
with pains in his bowels, extremely violent at 
the very first. He was carried therefore with 
all haste to his palace. These pains continu- 



THE SCRIPTURES. 87 

ally tormenting him, he expired in five days 
time." 

The scriptures speak of multitudes, who were 
slain for the testimony of Jesus; of those " who 
had trial of cruel mockings and scourging, yea, 
moreover, of bonds and imprisonment. They 
were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were 
tempted, were slain with the sword." History 
informs us that thousands of Christians perished 
in the bloody persecutions which took place un- 
der Nero, Trajan, and other Roman emperors; 
that their sufferings at the time of their execu- 
tion were enhanced by insult and mockery ; that 
they were thrown to wild beasts, were crucified, 
and destroyed in every way which ingenuity 
and rage could invent. Pliny, about eighty 
years after the ascension of Christ, wrote thus 
to the Roman emperor, from one of the distant 
provinces of the empire: " Great numbers of 
persons are in danger of suffering ; for many 
of all ages, and of every rank, of both sexes 
likewise, are accused, and will be accused." 
They were found not in "cities only, but in 



How are the early Christians said to have been treated ? 
Does history confirm this account ? Under what emperors were 
the Christians persecuted? What does Pliny say of them? 
How long after the ascension of Christ did he write ? 



88 AUTHENTICITY OF 

lesser towns also, and the open country." This 
letter from a bitter enemy of the gospel, con- 
firms both the scriptural account of the cruel 
persecutions of Christians, and the declarations 
of the sacred writers respecting the rapid spread 
of the Christian religion. H So mightily grew 
the word of God and prevailed. Not only at 
Ephesus, but throughout all Asia, this Paul hath 
persuaded and turned away much people" from 
their idolatry. 

The rapid progress of the gospel, notwith- 
standing its opposition to the depraved passions 
of men, and though resisted by all nations, is a 
divine attestation of its truth. Stronger testi- 
monies to the credibility of any historical fact 
than can be adduced for the authenticity of the 
scriptures it is impossible to bring. The affairs 
of foreign countries, in our own time, are not 
more fully evinced to us than the transactions 
recorded in the word of God. These have 
come to us with evidence which has lost nothing 
by the length of time intervening since the 
events transpired. 

What else do his writings prove, beside the persecutions of 
Christians ? What do we learn from the rapid spread of the 
gospel ? 



THE SCRIPTURES. 89 

I shall close with a few reflections. 

1. How great is their folly who flatter them- 
selves with the idea of man's native innocence. 
How many labor to persuade themselves and 
others that they have no deep, innate depravity, 
and that consequently they do not need the reno- 
vation of heart which the gospel demands. A 
little outward reformation they think, will an- 
swer their purpose ; a slight attention to some 
of the external acts of religion, to public worship 
and a few formal services, in which the affec- 
tions are never engaged, they imagine will ren- 
der them acceptable to God. Some presump- 
tuously hope for salvation while indulging in the 
grossest vices. Be not deceived. Even the 
heathen have better notions of their true condi- 
tion. They have felt and acknowledged that 
they possess a depraved nature, The views of 
many of their philosophers have approached near 
to the scriptural declarations of man's entire de- 
pravity ; that his heart is deceitful above all 
things and desperately wicked; that every imag- 
ination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil 



What practical remark is derived from this subject ? Has 
any doctrine of the gospel been acknowledged by heathen phi- 
losophers ? 



90 AUTHENTICITY OF 

continually ; that the carnal, or natural, mind is 
enmity against God. 

Of what folly are they guilty, who, with the 
wisest of ail nations and the God of truth against 
them, still persist in priding themselves on their 
supposed innocence and goodness. How often 
is it said of one notoriously vile and wicked, 
that he has a good heart. What an abuse of 
language is it to cover his sins under a soothing 
epithet, and how directly do these views of na- 
tive purity tend to confirm the unwary in sin, 
and ruin their souls forever. They will never 
apply the remedy graciously provided for them, 
until they behold their perishing necessities ; 
and these they will never see while they flatter 
themselves that they are not utterly destitute of 
holiness. 

2. How absolute is the necessity of regenera- 
tion. The necessity has been felt by Pagan 
philosophers, who knew not how this great and 
happy change could be effected, nor in what it 
must consist. All their instructions were utterly 
inefficient ; they left men as they found them, 
the servants of corruption. 

What doctrine, and how is it often evaded among" those nomi- 
nally Christian ? 



THE SCRIPTURES. 91 

The absolute need of this change is evinced 
by the idolatry, degradation, and wickedness of 
all heathen nations. 

It appears likewise in the stupidity, impiety, 
irreverence of God, and neglect of his worship 
and service, in those who have lived unregen- 
erate under the light of the gospel. With all 
their privileges they have evinced an entire alien- 
ation from their Maker and Redeemer. They 
seek their own exclusively, and not the things 
which are Christ's ; they are earthly in their 
desires and pursuits, and follow the maxims of 
this world, more than the commands of God. 
They find no delight in communing with the 
Father of Spirits, and never desire to purify 
themselves as he is pure. Holiness is an object 
of their aversion, and often of their profane and 
impious scoffs and revilings. And can they in- 
habit the regions of purity, or taste the joys of 
heaven in their present pollution and guilt? 
Can they who are wholly averse to all the attri- 
butes of Deity exult in the beams of divine glory, 
and find a felicity unalloyed in the presence of 
God and the Lamb? Nothing can be more pre- 
posterous than to suppose they could. Nothing 

Mention some evidences of the necessity of regeneration. 



92 AUTHENTICITY OF 

can be more certain, were we to reason only 
from human depravity and the character of 
Jehovah, than this truth, " Except a man be 
born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God, 
Except ye be converted and become as little 
children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of 
heaven. " 

Settle it then in your minds, that unless you 
experience this renovation of heart, unless you 
are born of the Spirit, and become new crea- 
tures in Christ Jesus, you shall be banished 
from the joys of heaven and lie down in eternal 
sorrow. The God of truth has declared and 
your own consciences confirm his word, that 
you must be renewed in time, or you are un- 
done in eternity. O f *awake to this great con- 
cern, you who have never yet engaged in it in 
earnest. Converted you must be, or you are a 
ruined creature forever. While you slumber in 
your impenitence, you slumber on the brink of 
a. precipice, and the slightest touch plunges you 
down to remediless wo. 

3. How justly are Christians entitled to credit 
in the account they give of their religious expe- 



Why are Christians entitled to credit, when they speak of 
their religious experience ? 



THE SCRIPTURES. 93 

rience. Conversion is a work which God has 
taught us to expect. It is agreeable to the holi- 
ness of his character to transform the subjects 
of his moral government into his image, before 
he admits them to his reconciled favor. This 
change is one of which Christians are as able to 
judge as of any other exercise of their minds. 
They have perceived an alteration in their affec- 
tions in regard to all spiritual objects ; a surren- 
der to Jesus ; a broken ness of heart for sin ; a 
love for divine truth and the revealed character 
of God and Christ; and new desires after holi- 
ness and communion with their Maker and 
Redeemer ; they have clearly perceived these 
things, and may justly say of them, " We speak 
that we do know, and testify that we have seen." 
In relating what God has done for their souls, 
they know they are not following the delu- 
sions of imagination ; but are giving an account 
of a reasonable and necessary work of grace on 
their hearts. Their testimony ought to be be- 
lieved, for it accords with scripture and the 
offices of the Holy Spirit. It ought to be be- 
lieved, to deepen in every sinner the conviction 
that he must experience the same himself, or be 



m n 



94 AUTHENTICITY OF, &c. 

irrecoverably lost. The faithful and true wit- 
ness has declared concerning the unbelieving, 
" Behold, ye despisers, and wonder and perish, 
for I work a work in your day, which ye will 
not believe, though a man declare it unto you," 



DISCOURSE VI. 



INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES. 

8 Timothy, ill- 16. All scripture is given by inspiration 
•of God. 

The scriptures are not only genuine and au- 
thentic, or the productions of the persons who 
claim to have written them, and a statement of 
facts and truths ; they are likewise a revelation 
from God. They were written under the influ- 
ence of his Spirit, and are justly styled the ivord 
of God, True, they contain many sayings of 
wicked men and fallen angels, and many of the 
historical events were fully known by the writers 
without a revelation. By inspiration is meant 
such assistance of the Holy Spirit as to preserve 
the sacred penmen from error in relating what 
they might have learned from the ordinary 
means of information, and such communications 
of light and knowledge from God as to enable 

What is meant by inspiration of the scriptures ? 



96 INSPIRATION OF 

them to unfold what could otherwise never have 
been known by mortals. 

In what manner divine communications were 
made to the inspired writers is to us in a great 
measure unknown. Sometimes it appears to 
have been by immediate suggestion, in which 
the words and expressions were from God ; and 
at other times by symbolical representations 
made to the mind, producing ideas, which the 
writer expressed in the style and language with 
which he was most familiar. But in whatever 
way he received knowledge from the Most High, 
it was accompanied with the assurance that he 
was " moved by the Holy Ghost," and that he 
recorded neither more nor less than it was the 
will of God should be communicated to the 
world. Such was the divine superintendency 
and movement in the whole of the sacred volume, 
that it is emphatically and with propriety de- 
nominated the " Book of God. " 

That all scripture was thus given by inspiration 
I shall now endeavor to prove. A more interest- 
ing subject never engaged the human mind. It 
is to settle every principle of faith and practice, 

How were divine communications made to the sacred writers ? 
What accompanied these communications ? Why is the Bible 
-H.H t h e Book of God? 



THE SCRIPTURES. 9f 

% 

and decide our prospects for eternity. Reader, 
will you not give it a diligent and prayerful ex- 
amination, and dwell on it as your life. 

1. All scripture was given by inspiration of 
God, for the knowledge of the human heart 
which these writings manifest could have pro- 
ceeded only from omniscience. 

All the wisdom of heathen philosophers com- 
bined, has never been able to disclose the secret 
springs of human action, nor to render men 
happy and obedient subjects of the divine gov- 
ernment. Some of their maxims were excellent, 
but they were powerless. They left the heart 
unaffected. To purify this fountain of moral 
action, was an object never achieved by human 
wisdom and learning. After all their efforts, 
men were left to the unavailing lamentation of 
the inefficacy of their own instructions and the 
desolations of abounding wickedness. 

The bible lifts up the vail from the human 
heart, and applies an effectual remedy to its dis- 
orders. It shows why the world in general live 
in the neglect of God and eternity, why they 
shun the paths of peace and holiness and pursue 

What evidence is here, given, that the scriptures were in- 
spired 1 How does this exceed what can be found in heathen 
writings ? 

9 



98 INSPIRATION OF 

t 
the ways of sin, contrary to the dictates of their 

own reason and conscience. It tells men, when 
they have seen the right, why they still pursue 
the wrong ; why they continue to transgress in 
view of all the misery they are bringing upon 
themselves. It is a perfect mirror, exhibiting 
the depraved passions of the natural man, and 
all the secret wickedness which lurks in his 
breast. As the woman of Samaria, on being 
told by the Saviour all things which ever she 
did, was instantly convinced that he was a divine 
personage ; so the sinner, seeing his character 
delineated in the bible, is struck with the over- 
whelming conviction that this must be the work 
of omniscience. His secret thoughts and inten- 
tions, which had escaped the notice of the world 
and even his own observation, are here reflected 
full upon his view. 

But the scriptures not only discover to him his 
spiritual deformities ; they are wonderfully fitted 
to affect and subdue the stubborn heart and re- 
concile the offender to his injured Sovereign. 
This they have sought to accomplish, not by the 
mere force of law or authority. Statutes the 

To what are the scriptures compared, with respect to the 
knowledge they give of ourselves 1 Show the propriety of this 
figure. What end are the scriptures wisely fitted to accomplish 1 



THE SCRIPTURES. 99 

most equitable and warnings the most alarming 
would have been utterly unavailing. The trans- 
gressor would have continued to look upon the 
Supreme Legislator as an oppressive tyrant. He 
would have stood nerved and braced against 
all the threats and commands which could have 
been given. Had he been overpowered by su- 
perior force he would have retained the heart of 
a rebel, and been filled with sullen indignation 
against the power by which he was subdued. 
Accordingly the scriptures have come to us 
with a melting and overpowering appeal to the 
heart, and have sought by matchless love to gain 
the affections of the sinner, and thus render him 
a willing subject of Jehovah's kingdom. 

His life had been forfeited to avenging justice, 
and in the oracles of truth we see the Lord of 
glory condescending to suffer, the just for the un- 
just. The Beloved of the Father takes the place 
of the offender ; the sword awakes against the 
Shepherd; he is stricken and smitten of God, 
and expires in agony on the cross. Thousands 
are effectually convinced of their guilt. They 



How do the scriptures seek to gain the affections ? What 
would have been the effect, had they merely commanded sub- 
mission ? What did Christ, the Beloved of the Father, do ? 
What peculiar wisdom in this method of giving instruction ? 



100 INSPIRATION OF 

look on Him whom they have pierced, and 
mourn. Their hearts are softened andhumbled 
in view of the mighty sufferer, and they return 
with penitence to supplicate mercy of their in- 
jured Lord. 

Take another illustration of this transaction. 
Fancy to yourselves " a company of men travel- 
ling along the sea-shore. One of them better 
acquainted with the ground than the rest, warns 
them of quicksands, and points out to them a 
landmark which indicated the position of a dan- 
gerous pass. They however see no great reason 
for apprehension ; they are anxious to get for- 
ward, and cannot resolve upon making a con- 
siderable circuit in order to avoid what appears 
to them an imaginary evil ; they reject his coun- 
sel and proceed onwards. In these circum- 
stances, what argument ought he to use? What 
mode of persuasion can we imagine fitted to 
fasten on their minds a strong conviction of the 
reality of their danger and the disinterested be- 
nevolence of their adviser. His words have been 
ineffectual ; he must try some other method ; 
he must act. And he does so ; for seeing no 
other way of prevailing on them, he desires them 

Give an example to illustrate the affecting love of Christ, 



THE SCRIPTURES. 101 

to wait only a single moment till they see the 
truth of his warning'confirmed hy his fate. He 
goes before them, he puts his foot on the seem- 
ingly firm sand, and sinks to death. This elo- 
quence is irresistible ; he was the most active 
and vigorous among them ; if any one could 
have extricated himself from the difficulty, it was 
he ; they are persuaded ; they make the neces- 
sary circuit, bitterly accusing themselves of the 
death of their generous companion ; and during 
their progress, as often as these landmarks occur, 
his nobleness and their own danger rise to their 
minds and secure their safety. Rashness now 
is not perilous merely, it is ungrateful ; it is 
making void the death of their deliverer. ;; Ap- 
ply this to the method which God has taken to 
convince the sinner of his danger, and subdue 
his heart by unequalled love. The Creator 
himself is the Monitor, who, in the person of 
Immanuel, condescends to manifest the evil of 
sin by enduring its consequences. " He him- 
self encountered the terrors of guilt, and bore 
its punishment, and called on his careless crea- 
tures to consider and understand the evil of 



Show how the example is applied to the Creator in the per- 
son of Christ. 

9* 



102 INSPIRATION OF 

transgression by contemplating even its unde- 
served effects on a being of perfect purity, who 
was over all, God, blessed forever. Could they 
hope to sustain that weight which had crushed 
the Son of God I Could they rush into that 
guilt and that danger against which he had so 
pathetically warned them?" 

Into what imagination could such an expe- 
dient have entered to subdue a province of re* 
bellious subjects, had it not been revealed from 
the Creator 1 Who could have devised a scheme 
which would have made so powerful and so ten- 
der an appeal to the heart, and brought the 
multitude which no man can number to the foot 
of the cross for pardon and eternal life ? The 
bible must have come from that omniscient 
Being who knew, better than they had ever 
known, what is in men. 

2. The inspiration of the scriptures is manifest 
from their sublime doctrines and pure morality. 
These are far beyond what human reason of 
itself could ever have discovered. The perfec- 
tions and purposes of Deity are unfolded with a 
clearness and majesty found in no other book. 

Could human reason have devised such a scheme of mercy ? 
What will }'ou infer from this ? State the second evidence, 
that the scriptures are inspired. 



THE SCRIPTURES. 103 

While every other professed description falls im- 
measurably below his true character, in the 
scriptures he is described in all the dignity and 
glory becoming the holy Sovereign of the uni- 
verse. He is exhibited as self-existent, inde- 
pendent, and eternal. He is clothed with 
omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience. 
We see in Him the inspector of all our actions ; 
whose eye at the same moment watches our 
every step, lights on the most distant parts of 
creation, and looks through all periods of time. 
He is represented as possessing a perfect plan of 
his own operations from the morning of creation, 

" The great eternal scheme, 

Involving all, and in a perfect whole 
Uniting." 

as immutable in his counsels, and infinitely re- 
moved beyond all disappointment or surprise 
from unexpected occurrences. We see the rain- 
bow of mercy about the throne, while justice 
sits inflexible in its demands against every ob- 
stinate, impenitent transgressor. We see the 
holiness of God rendering him the eternal enemy 
of sin, and constituting the light unapproacha- 
ble and full of glory wherein he dwelleth ; and 

How is God exhibited in the scriptures ? 



104 INSPIRATION OF 

his benevolence employed in diffusing happiness 
through the universe. • 

The unity of God, and the adorable Trinity, 
shine with unclouded radiance in the system of 
redemption. That " He, who was the bright- 
ness of the Father's glory, and the express im- 
age of his person ; whom all the angels of God 
do worship ; who thought it not robbery to be 
equal with God ; and who was God ;" that he 
should become obedient unto death, even the 
death of the cross, is a mystery of love and mercy 
which neither men nor angels could have deemed 
possible, nor could it have entered the imagina- 
tion of creatures had it not been revealed in the 
gospel. 

In the bible we are taught the method of jus- 
tification by faith in Christ. We learn the ne- 
cessity of a thorough renovation of heart, and 
how it may be, accomplished by the word of truth, 
and the agency of the Holy Spirit. To crown 
all, a state of eternal rewards and punishments 
is opened to our view, giving the highest possi- 
ble sanction to the precepts of revelation, and 
enforcing obedience by the most overwhelming 
motives. 

What are some of the sublime doctrines of the Bible ? 



THE SCRIPTURES. 105 

Open the sacred volume, and you see yourself 
arraigned before your God and Judge, from 
whose presence you can never for one moment 
withdraw ; you see the Spirit of grace and truth 
ready to heal your diseased nature, and take up 
his abode with you ; you find yourself in the 
presence of an innumerable company of holy 
angels, ready to guard you on every hand, and 
lead you on to mansions of bliss; you learn that 
you are beset, too, with hosts of malignant spir- 
its, watching their opportunity to allure you into 
sin and destroy your soul. Open the sacred vol- 
ume, and the history of the world spreads itself 
before you ; you behold the successive steps by 
which the visible creation arose into existence; 
you see the earth established by wisdom, the 
heavens stretched out by discretion; and listen 
to the sons of God in the morning of creation, 
shouting for joy. You trace, as on a map, the 
grand course of events since the great drama of 
the world commenced. You see the deluge 
sweeping the face of the earth ; you enter the 
ark with the chosen family, and behold them 
riding securely amidst the raging tempest. You 
see Jehovah guarding the church as the apple 

Mention some of the principal events related in the Bible. 



106 INSPIRATION OF 

of his eye, in every age ; you stand by the babe 
in the manger, and hear the hosts of angels pro- 
claiming, Glory to God in the highest. You 
look down the vale of time, and behold the con- 
summation of all things; the Judge descending; 
the dead awaking; the heavens rolling together 
as a scroll; the nations assembling before the 
dread tribunal. You listen to the decision 
which settles the affairs of the universe, and are 
carried away into the scenes of eternity, to wit- 
ness its execution in the prison of despair, which 
shall never be unbarred to release its miserable 
tenants ; and in the abodes of purity and bliss, 
where all tears shall be wiped away, and the 
weary shall forever be at rest. 

The morality of the bible is pure, excelling 
all which the wisdom of this world has ever 
taught, as light excels darkness, or the perfec- 
tion of the heavenly state excels the pollutions 
of earth and sense. Infidelity has denied that 
the morality of the gospel was of a holy nature; 
but she has been unable to sustain the charge. 
What has occasioned the wide, the manifest dis- 
tinction between Christian and heathen nations? 



How does it appear, that the morality of the scriptures ex- 
ceeds what the wisdom of this world has ever taught ? 



THE SCRIPTURES. 107 

What has placed a guard around all the rela- 
tions in society where the gospel has been re- 
ceived? What has rendered inviolable the 
sanctity of oaths, and enforced every where the 
duty of doing by others as we would have them 
do by us? Why are those places where the 
scriptures are the most studied and best regard- 
ed peculiarly noted for integrity and virtue? 
Why is a revival of religion, in which the word 
is attended with power, invariably accompanied 
with a visible reformation in all who become the 
hopeful subjects of grace ? Why do the profane 
cease from their imprecations, the intemperate 
quit their excess, and the licentious renounce 
the haunts of vice the moment they begin to 
shape their lives by the precepts of the gospel ? 
Let its pure and elevated morality answer. It 
is a morality absolutely perfect, flowing from 
supreme love to God, and demanding undeviat- 
ing rectitude. It carries its requisitions in, and 
lays them upon the thoughts, enforcing purity of 
intention as well as of visible conduct. How 
spiritual, how broad are the commands, "Thou 
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love your 

For what are those places distinguished, where the scriptures 
are most regarded 1 What is the source of Christian morality 1 
By what commands is it enjoined ? 



108 INSPIRATION OP 

enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to 
them that hate you, and pray for them that de- 
spitefully use you and persecute you. Be ye 
kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving 
one another." 

Such doctrines, such morality, must have 
been given by inspiration of God. They could 
no more be the result of human invention, than 
the creation of a world could be the effect of 
human power. 

And now, reader, before we proceed further 
with the argument, suffer me to bring the sub- 
ject nearer home, and inquire what influence 
the gospel has had on your heart and life. Have 
you been alarmed by the representation of sin 
made in the sufferings of Christ and the law of 
God? Has the stupendous system of redemp- 
tion caught your admiring view, and while you 
have fixed your eye upon the cross have you 
wondered and wept? Have you possessed a 
broken and contrite spirit, rendering you averse 
to the delusive pleasures of sin, and exciting 
earnest desires after holiness? Have you found 
by happy experience that the law of the Lord is 

(TJJ 3 The teacher is requested to put the questions on this and 
the following - page with solemnity, and receive from the pupils 
an answer. 



THE SCRIPTURES., 109 

perfect, converting the soul ; that the testimony 
of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 
that the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing 
the heart ? Have they appeared to you more 
desirable than gold, yea, than much fine gold; 
sweeter also than honey and the honey comb? 
Have you reposed an unwavering confidence in 
the scriptures? Since they are a communica- 
tion from God, they are of the highest authority, 
and no appeal is ever to be made from their de- 
cision. They are to settle every principle of 
faith and practice. Have you yielded to the 
alarming, the endearing motives to piety which 
they have presented, and begun to exemplify 
the pure and heavenly morality which they have 
inculcated ? Have you sought to shun the ap- 
pearance of evil by avoiding the places of pecu- 
liar temptation; the occasions and company 
which would lead you into sin ? Are you ha- 
bitually endeavoring to mortify every vicious 
propensity, and to adorn the doctrines of God 
our Saviour in all things? If so, you have rea- 
son to believe that Christ has become your 
friend, and given you an interest in his everlast- 
ing covenant. Young as you are, you have en- 
10 



HO INSPIRATION OF 

tered the path which leads to glory, honor, im- 
mortality, eternal life. You have commenced 
the bright career which conducts to the throne 
of the Majesty in the heavens ; in whose pres- 
ence is fullness of joy, and at whose right hand 
are pleasures forevermore. Often examine your 
heart, and look to Christ for grace to enable you 
to persevere in his service. Live by faith in the 
word of God. Let its distinguishing truths dwell 
on your mind, be interwoven in all your plans 
and pursuits, and become more and more the 
living principles of all your actions. On the 
contrary, are you conscious, my young friends, 
that you are destitute of piety ; that you have 
never known the love of Christ, and have no 
peculiar delight in what he has revealed ? You 
have repeatedly heard the gospel, but it has 
made no saving impression on your minds. 
You have loved vanity and forsaken the counsel 
of God. You are giving the best of your years 
to the service of sin, and whether God will spare 
you to repent at some future day is, at least, a 
dreadful uncertainty. The present is the sweet, 
the mediatorial hour. O, let it be improved by 
turning now to the Lord. Consecrate your 



THE SCRIPTURES. HI 

affections and your lives to him who made you. 
" If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thy- 
self; but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt 
bear it." 



DISCOURSE VII. 



INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES, 

2 Timothy, iii. 11. All scripture is given by inspiration of 
God. 

The truth of this declaration has been shown, 

1. From the knowlege of the human heart 
which these writings manifest, which could have 
proceeded only from omniscience. 

2. From their sublime doctrines and pure 
morality. I observe, 

3. The inspiration of the scriptures appears 
in the harmony of the sacred writers. 

They continued to succeed each other during 
a period of more than fifteen hundred years. 
Upon every other subject the opinions of men 
were unsettled and fluctuating. Every theory 
in science and morals was constantly changing. 
But the sacred writers, though living in distant 



State the third argument -in favor of the inspiration of the 
scriptures. How long a period intervened between ihe first and 
last of the sacred writers ? What is the first and last book of 
the Bible, and who wrote, them ? 



THE SCRIPTURES. 113 

ages and different countries, amidst a great di- 
versity of customs, prejudices, and modes of 
thinking, were uniform in all the instructions 
they delivered. Scarcely anything could ex- 
ceed the diversity in the early education of 
Moses, Samuel, David, Paul, and the apostles. 
We see Moses coming from the idolatrous court 
of Egypt to be the prophet of the true God ; 
Samuel, while a child, ministering before the 
Lord in Shiloh ; David, taken from the sheep- 
cole to pour forth the elevated strains of piety 
and devotion which have ever since edified and 
animated the church; Paul, brought up at the 
feet of a Pagan Gamaliel, becoming the bold 
champion of the cross of Christ; and the apos- 
tles, from being fishermen on the sea of Galilee, 
becoming the historians of our Lord, and the 
teachers of the world. With all this difference 
of education, habits, and private interest, no 
one ever contradicted the assertions of those 
who preceded him. All the writers delivered, 
and continued to deliver, substantially the same 
account of God, of his attributes, of Christ, and 

In what did the condition of the sacred writers differ ? Give 
some account of the diversity, which appears in their early 
education. Would this naturally lead to a great difference of 
feeling and sentiment ? Did any such difference exist ? In what 
respects did they all agree ? 

10* 



114 INSPIRATION OF 

the system of redemption, of the ruined condi- 
tion of man, of his duties, obligations, and 
destinies. 

Notwithstanding the assertions of infidelity to 
the contrary, the closest criticism has been able 
to detect no contradictions which could not be 
easily reconciled by a reference to the different 
modes of computing time ; to the general scope 
and design of the different writers; and the 
consequent omission of some things by one 
which were inserted by others. The writers 
harmonize with each other ; yet not in a man- 
ner to imply combination. There is no studied 
effort to maintain the appearance of agreement, 
but every one pursues his leading object ; no 
one dissents from the rest in the doctrines or 
precepts advanced,. 

Whence could have arisen this agreement on 
subjects the most difficult and the most interest- 
ing, had they not been revealed by the un- 
changeable Creator? How could reason, at 
once, have arrived at clear knowledge, where it 
would be most liable to err, while it remained 
in the dark upon almost every other subject? 

How may we easily reconcile those things of minor impor- 
tance in which they appear to differ ? What is a peculiar and 
important feature of their agreement ? 



THE SCRIPTURES. 1 15 

This can reasonably be attributed to no other 
cause except the Spirit of inspiration guiding 
the writers into all truth. God is light, in Him 
there is no darkness, and he has impressed his 
own blessed image on the sacred page. 

4. The prophecies afford another argument 
in favor of the inspiration of the scriptures. 

Prophecy is a declaration of future events, 
which can be known only by omniscience. 
Men may conclude what will be from what has 
been, where the causes and effects are uniform, 
and have been repeatedly observed. The pro- 
phecies have unfolded the future, minute cir- 
cumstances of individuals and the great revolu- 
tions of states and empires, than which nothing 
can be more fluctuating, and, to human view, 
more uncertain. Some predictions respected 
events exceedingly complicated and far distant, 
depending on the arbitrary will of many individ- 
uals, and a great variety of preparatory incidents. 
Some were to be fulfilled shortly after they were 
delivered, and others relate to the remotest pe- 
riods of time, and together they form a history 
of futurity, extending through all ages, until 

What is the inference ? What do the prophecies prove ? 
What is prophecy ? What general events has it unfolded ? 
To what distant periods does it reach ? 



116 INSPIRATION OF 

time shall be no longer. This wonderful chain 
of prophecy may be traced throughout the writ- 
ings of Moses and the prophets, the instructions 
of Christ and his apostles. 

It was foretold that the posterity of Abraham 
should be in bondage four hundred years, and 
come out with great substance; that they should 
possess the land of Canaan; should be expelled 
for their sins, and be restored again after their 
captivity. These predictions were actually ful- 
filled according to the times specified. The 
glowing sketch of the destruction of Jerusalem, 
and the scenes of unparalleled horror and dis- 
tress accompanying the fall of that city, drawn 
beforehand by the faithful pen of the prophet, 
proved to be awful realities in a subsequent age. 
That the Jews should be dispersed among all 
nations ; that they should be scattered and peel- 
ed; should every where become an astonish- 
ment, a proverb, and a by-word, are declarations 
which have received, or are now receiving, their 
accomplishment. Not far from two hundred 
predictions respecting the Jews have been accu- 
rately fulfilled. Many of these were uttered 

Mention some predictions, which have been fulfilled ? How- 
numerous are those, which respect the Jews ? How long were 
they uttered, before the events to which they related took place ? 



the scriptures. lit 

hundreds of years before the events to which 
they related took place, and with a particularity 
bordering upon the description of the historian. 

Scarcely less numerous or striking have been 
the prophecies concerning other nations. Of 
Tyre, one of the most flourishing cities of an- 
tiquity, it was predicted that it should become 
" like the top of a rock," and should be a " place 
for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea." 
This was realized by the desolations brought on 
that devoted city by Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander 
the Great, and other conquerors. Of Egypt it 
was declared, in the midst of its greatness, that 
it should become the " basest of kingdoms;" of 
Nineveh and Babylon, that they should be a 
possession for the bittern ; that wild beasts of 
the desert should dwell there ; that they should 
not be inhabited from generation to generation. 
These events have long since occurred with as- 
tonishing exactness, and contrary to all human 
probability. 

Prophecies relating to Messiah began early 
after the apostacy. To him gave all the proph- 
ets witness, throwing around him the light of 

What are some of the prophecies respecting other nations, 
which have been fulfilled ? How early did those begin, which 
respect Christ 1 



118 INSPIRATION OF 

their united testimony. They delineated his 
true character, " and displayed with equal beauty 
and truth the time and place of his birth, and 
the effects and consequences of his advent." 
Christ and his apostles foretold numerous events 
which befel the primitive Christians ; the rise 
and overthrow of Papal superstition and Mo- 
hammedan delusion, and the general state of the 
church to the end of time. Many of these 
prophecies have already received their comple- 
tion, and given assurance that the remainder 
will be fulfilled in their season. 

How immeasurably beyond all human forecast 
or discernment are the numerous, extraordinary, 
and improbable events, foretold in scripture, 
which have occurred in a manner exactly an- 
swering to the prediction. What a perfect con- 
trast is here presented to the obscure, ambigu- 
ous, and mercenary declarations of heathen ora- 
cles. How could any being, except the omni- 
scient God, remove the vail of futurity and extend 
the ken of human vision through the long vista 
of succeeding ages, so that their opening and 
most improbable scenes could be described with 



What are some of the events foretold by Christ and his apos- 
les ? Why does prophecy prove the inspiration of scripture 1 



THE SCRIPTURES. 119 

perfect accuracy? The bible then is an inspired 
book. This is further evident, 

5. From the miracles which it records. 

A miracle is the suspending or reversing of 
some of the established laws of nature, requiring 
the immediate interposition of that Almighty 
power which preserves and governs the universe. 
This power God has often exerted in an extra- 
ordinary manner to confirm the messages he has 
communicated to men. 'A miracle is the testi- 
mony of God, and a proof of the divine mission 
of him by whom it is wrought. There could be 
no doubt that God had spoken by those through 
whose instrumentality the plagues of Egypt were 
inflicted ; the Red Sea was divided ; waters 
flowed from the rock; Jordan 'was stayed in its 
course ; at whose word fire came down from 
heaven; demons fled away; diseases were heal- 
ed ; sight was imparted to the blind, hearing to 
the deaf, speech to the dumb, and life to the 
dead.' 

The public ministry of Christ presents a con- 
tinual course of miracles, performed not merely 
in the presence of professed friends, but of 

What is a miracle ? What do miracles prove ? Who per- 
formed the most astonishing miracles ; and what were some of 
them ? 



120 INSPIRATION OP 

avowed enemies. He healed multitudes in sight 
of chief priests and rulers, who were seeking his 
life. When he fed the five thousand in the 
wilderness, when he allayed the storm and com- 
posed the raging element ; when he restored to 
life the son of the widow, as the funeral proces- 
sion was proceeding to the burial, and when he 
called Lazarus from the tomb, there could have 
been no deception. Equally impossible was it 
that there should have been any in the miracles 
wrought by the prophets and apostles. They 
were worthy the interposition of God ; were per- 
formed in cases manifestly beyond the reach of 
any remedy, except the mighty energy which 
controls all events; were attested by numerous 
witnesses, competent to judge of the facts sub- 
mitted to their inspection ; and accompanied by 
effects which proved their reality. Inveterate 
prejudices were overcome by them, and multi- 
tudes persuaded to embrace the gospel, who 
sealed their belief of its truth with their blood. 

In vain does unbelief attempt to contrast with 
this testimony the pretended miracles of the hea- 
then, or of the false prophet of Mecca. The ma- 



Could there have been any deception in the miracles of 
Christ ? What is said of the magicians of Egypt 1 



IliE SCRIPTURES. 121 

gicians of Egypt used their enchantments, but 
they were put to silence and forced to confess 
that the works of Moses were performed by the 
Jinger of God. The miracles ascribed to Mo- 
hammed were wholly unsupported by evidence, 
and were never attributed to him by his deluded 
followers, until long after his death. They are 
related to have been performed in the night and 
in secret, or before one or two accomplices in 
the fraud. How different is all this from the 
open and undisguised miracles recorded in scrip- 
ture ; miracles wrought in the face of day, be- 
fore thousands of witnesses, who proclaimed 
them at the hazard of life, and who were never 
confuted by their bitterest enemies. The evi- 
dence of miracles comes down to us unimpaired. 
They are the seal which God himself has set to 
the inspiration of the bible ; the attestation of 
eternal truth, that holy men of old spake as they 
were moved by the Holy Ghost. 

6. The rapid spread of the gospel against all 
opposing obstacles proves its divine origin. The 
gospel was opposed by the combined influence 
of learning, and talents, and civil authority ; by 

How do the miracles, recorded in scripture, exceed those 
ascribed to Mohammed ? What do we learn from the rapid 
spread of the gospel ? How was it treated ? 

11 



122 INSPIRATION OF 

all the prejudices and depraved passions of a 
world. It was resisted too by the long estab- 
lished systems of superstition which had formed 
the habits, enslaved the minds, and engrossed 
the affections of all nations. Never could it 
have overcome the difficulties which withstood 
its progress, had it not been accompanied by the 
special power of God. Without this the child 
of heaven would have died in its infancy. The 
truths announced would have fallen into obli- 
vion, or have become the objects of scorn and 
contempt. 

Mohammed propagated his religion by force. 
He had wealth, and civil influence, and authority 
to aid him in disseminating his delusions. He 
accommodated his system to the prevailing opin- 
ions and customs of his day. With all these 
advantages, during the first seven years he could 
scarcely reckon one hundred followers. 

Christ appeared in circumstances of the deep- 
est poverty. His gospel was uncompromising 
in its demands. It was an exclusive system, 
differing totally from all others on earth, and at 



How would the gospel ever have gained a reception among 
men? How did Mohammed propagate his religion ? In what 
circumstances did Christ appear ; and how did he proceed in 
spreading the gospel ? 



THE SCRIPTURES. 123 

open war with them. He chose for his disciples 
twelve poor and illiterate fishermen, without 
patronage, without influence, and utterly desti- 
tute of every thing to allure others into the ser- 
vice of their master. He submitted to an igno- 
minious death, according to his prediction, and 
against the whole power of the Jewish nation, 
and of all other nations, his gospel had to force 
its way in the world. A few days after the as- 
cension there were at Jerusalem an hundred and 
twenty who were willing to be known openly as 
the disciples of Jesus. " Ten days after there 
w r ere added to them about three thousand souls. 
Soon after the number of men was about Jive 
thousand; shortly after we are told that multi- 
tudes of believers, both men and women, were 
added to the Lord ; that the number of disciples 
was multiplied in Jerusalem greatly, and that a 
great company of the priests were obedient to 
the faith." 

Such was the progress of Christianity in about 
two years. This success was at Jerusalem, 
where Christ had been crucified, and conse- 
quently where there was the least prospect that 

With what had the gospel to contend ? How rapidly did it 
prevail, or how extensively within two years? Why did it 
meet with peculiar difficulties at Jerusalem ? 



124 INSPIRATION OF 

he would obtain followers; here too was the seat 
of government and learning in Judea, and the 
place above all others where opposition would 
be the most virulent and powerful. 

During the next seven years the gospel was 
received at Cesarea, the residence of the Roman 
governors of Palestine, and a great number be" 
lieved at Antioch, where the disciples wefe first 
called Christians. Soon after, the complaint of 
Demetrius, that not only at Ephesus, but almost 
throughout all Asia, Paul had persuaded and 
turned away much people, shows the rapid dif- 
fusion of the gospel. We see this single apostle 
bearing the tidings of redeeming love throughout 
Judea and the provinces of Asia Minor ; erect- 
ing the standard of the cross on the islands of 
Cyprus, and Rhodes, and Crete ; traversing twa 
great empires and publishing the gospel through 
their towns and provinces ; and churches rising 
and flourishing every where in his progress. He 
had occasion to write epistles to all the saints at 
Rome, to the churches at Corinth, in Galatia, at 
Ephesus, Colosse, and Thessalonica, and to the 
disciples at Phillippi, with the bishops and dea- 

Where were the disciples first called Christians ? What was 
the complaint of Demetrius ? How extensive were Paul's^ 
labors ? To what churches did he write epistles ? 



THE SCRIPTURES. 125 

cons. The followers of Christ must therefore 
have been exceedingly multiplied. 

History informs us that soon after the first 
preaching of the gospel, churches were estab- 
lished and bishops settled in almost every part 
of the then known world. Justin Martyr, who 
wrote one hundred and six years after the ascen- 
sion, says, " There is not a nation, either Greek 
or Barbarian, or of any other name, even of 
those who wander in tribes, and live in tents, 
amongst whom prayers and thanksgivings are not 
offered to the Father and Creator of the universe, 
by the name of the crucified Jesus." About 
fifty years later, Tertullian writes, " We were 
but of yesterday, and we have filled your cities, 
islands, towns, and burroughs ; the camp, the 
senate, and the forum." Thirty years after the 
above period, we have the testimony of Origen, 
that " In every part of the world, throughout 
all Greece, and in all other nations, there are 
innumerable and immense, multitudes, who, hav- 
ing left the laws of their country, and those 
whom they esteemed gods, have given them- 
selves up to the law of Moses and the religion 

How long- after Christ did Justin Martyr write ? What is his 
statement ? When, and what did Tertullian write 1 How 
much later are the writings of Origen, and what is his testimony 1 
11* 



126 INSPIRATION Of 

of Christ ; and this not without the bitterest re* 
sentment from the idolaters, by whom they were 
frequently put to torture, and sometimes to death; 
and it is wonderful to observe how, in so short 
a time, the religion has increased amidst punish- 
ment and death, and every kind of torture." 
Such was the astonishing spread of Christianity, 
notwithstanding its progress was opposed by the 
fires of persecution, and by all the sufferings 
which ingenuity and hatred could invent. " By 
how much the more," says Origen> " emperors 
and governors of provinces, and the people every 
where, strove to depress Christians ; so much 
the more have they increased and prevailed ex- 
ceedingly." The preservation of the Christian 
religion in the world, and its progress during 
two or three of the first centuries, are standing 
miracles in attestation of its divine origin. It 
was owned of God, and declared to be a religion 
from heaven, by its rapid diffusion against all 
opposing obstacles.. 

This subject shows that the gospel is of a 
practical tendency. It has led multitudes to 



What does he state respecting persecution ? What are we 
to infer from the rapid spread of the gospel against so many ob- 
stacles 1 What is the tendency of the gospel ; and how does 
this appear? 



THE SCRIPTURES. 127 

love Christ more than father, or mother, or 
brother, or sister ; yea, more than their own 
lives. They have been ready to suffer the loss 
of all things, that they might win Christ, and be 
found in him. The gospel seizes on all the 
great springs of human action. It makes the 
strongest possible appeal to our hopes and fears, 
our desires of enjoyment and our dread of misery. 
The promises secure to the believer the blessed 
privilege of having Christ for his friend on earth, 
and of being admitted to the everlasting enjoy- 
ment of his presence in the coming world. 
Against the unbelieving and disobedient there 
are denunciations of the most tremendous im- 
port. Of them it is declared, " They shall have 
their part in the lake which burnetii with fire, 
which is the second death. These shall go 
away into everlasting punishment. 5 ' The warn- 
ing has been hung out from the heavens in broad 
capitals, " Except ye repent, ye shall all like- 
wise perish." What motives more powerful 
could be urged to persuade us to quit every 
course of sin, and live in all holy conversation 
and godliness. Heaven invites with all its joys, 
and hell warns with all its terrors. The love of 
Christ and all the glorious attributes of God con- 



128 INSPIRATION OF, &c. 

strain to a life of obedience. Who can yield to 
the gospel his cordial assent, and not feel im- 
pelled to walk in newness of life ? Dear reader, 
has it had this influence upon you 1 Have its 
invitations and warnings come home with power 
to your bosom, and have you begun to live as 
the grace of God teacheth ? 



DISCOURSE VIII. 



INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES. 

2 Timothy, iii. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration 
of God. 

The sacred writers claim to have been in- 
spired of God. That their claims were just has 
been proved from the knowledge of the human 
heart which they possessed ; from the sublime 
doctrines and pure morality they taught ; from 
their harmony ; from the prophecies they uttered ; 
the miracles they performed ; and the rapid 
spread of the gospel against all opposing obsta- 
cles. I observe, 

7. The inspiration of the scriptures appears 
in the powerful effects they produced. Some 
of these have been already mentioned; but they 
deserve v a more particular attention. 

They have been equally honorable for God 
and happy for men. They have shown that the 
scriptures emanated from him, for they have 

Jiepeat the arguments for the inspiration of the scriptures ? 



130 INSPIRATION OF 

conducted back to him, as the Supreme Good, 
They have purified and transformed the hearts 
of men, and turned them from their idolatry and 
wickedness to the service of the living God. 
With all the stubbornness and rebellion of an- 
cient Israel, the scriptures wrought in them 
traits of character more amiable and lovely than 
could be found among any other people on the 
face of the earth. Their tribes exhibited a 
spectacle which drew from their enemies the 
admiring exclamation, " How goodly are thy 
tents, O Jacob ! and thy tabernacles, O Israel." 
Their laws were comparatively mild and salu- 
tary ; the poor and unfortunate were treated 
.with compassion; their judges and magistrates 
were taught to rule in the fear of God ; their 
worship was ennobling and elevating; their tem- 
ple was filled with the glory of the Lord ; and 
the people were constrained to serve him in the 
beauty of holiness. 

But it is under the gospel that we perceive 
more clearly the powerful effects of the scrip- 
tures. There we see them casting down imag- 
inations, and every high thing which opposeth 



What is said of their effects ? What was the influence of the 
scriptures upon ancient Israel ? 



THE SCRIPTURES. 131 

itself against God ; quickening those who were 
dead in trespasses and sins, and leaving them 
to live in all holy conversation and godliness. 
Wherever the gospel was published the hearts 
of multitudes were changed. They quit the 
degrading, criminal practices in which they had 
before indulged ; and from being fornicators, 
idolaters, adulterers, effeminate abusers of them- 
selves with mankind, and thieves, and covetous, 
and drunkards, and revilers, and extortioners, 
they were washed, and sanctified, and justified 
in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit 
of our God. " What - fruit," said the apostle 
to the disciples at Rome, " had ye in those 
things whereof ye are now ashamed ; for the 
end of those things is death. But now being 
made free from sin, and become servants to 
God, ye have your fruit unto holiness." Look 
at the converts at Ephesus, who once had their 
conversation in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling 
the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and 
were by nature the children of wrath, even as 
others ; but on receiving the gospel, they were 
created in Christ Jesus unto good works. They 



What changes has the gospel wrought in men ? What does 
the apostle say to the disciples at Rome 1 



132 Inspiration &$ 

began to walk in love and to exhibit a character 
which heaven could approve. Observe the 
change wrought in Saul of Tarsus. Once he 
was a blasphemer, and injurious, and a persecu- 
tor ; but through the power of the gospel he be- 
came a meek, devout, and self-denying disciple 
of Jesus. Such effects have been common 
where the gospel has been received in its purity, 
and they have never been produced by any other 
cause. Human philosophy has never raised 
men from pollution and guilt, endued them with 
a humble and contrite spirit, and brought them 
to hate and shun all iniquity. 

Compare the teaching of Socrates with that 
of the apostle to the Gentiles. The former, at 
the head of a powerful sect, with all the advan- 
tages of popular favor and civil authority to aid 
in giving effect to the doctrines he delivered, 
could show none reformed, none rendered more 
holy, by his instructions. Even his own life 
presented the debasement, the pollution of idol- 
atry. Paul, in uniting himself with Christians, 
became an object of general hatred and indig- 
nation among the Jews. The rulers sought to 



Describe the alteration in Saul of Tarsus. State the com- 
parison between Socrates and Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, 



THE SCRIPTURES. 133 

destroy him ; persecuted in one city, he fled to 
another; but he proclaimed the gospel wherever 
he went, and converts were multiplied. The 
cords of iniquity were broken, and multitudes, 
emancipated from the bondage of guilt, put on 
the Lord Jesus Christ and began to walk in 
newness of life. Thousands, delivered from 
abandoned profligacy, from degrading supersti- 
tion, and mental darkness, were brought into 
the glorious light and liberty of the gospel ; were 
constrained to obey its precepts, and manifest in 
their subsequent lives that it is indeed the wis- 
dom of God and the power of God unto salva- 
tion. What could have occasioned this mighty 
difference of effect between this prince of hea- 
then philosophers and the disciple of Jesus, 
except that the latter went forth with a com- 
mission from Jehovah to bear his messages to a 
guilty world, and the hand of the Lord wrought 
with him. 

The gospel is the fire and the hammer which 
is breaking the rock in pieces. It is bringing 
the ransomed of the Lord to Zion with songs 
and everlasting joy upon their heads. View its 
influence in the numerous revivals of religion 

What is the effect; produced in revivals of religion ? 

12 



134 INSPIRATION OF 

which are gladdening the face of society ; soft- 
ening and subduing the hard heart ; rousing the 
infidel from his false security ; bringing the pro- 
fane to bow the knee before God in fervent sup- 
plication for mercy ; exciting the thoughtless 
and secure to flee from the wrath to come; con- 
vincing the dissolute that their steps take hold 
on hell, and leading them to escape for their life; 
persuading the young to quit the scenes of gaiety 
and mirth and learn hosannas to the Son of 
David ; and overcoming the aged sinner, who 
had long stood unyielding as the stubborn oak, 
and braved alike the terrors of the Almighty and 
the melting compassions of a crucified Re- 
deemer. There is great joy in that city, for the 
Holy Spirit, the heavenly Dove, comes down to 
give efficacy to the gospel, and display its blessed 
effects. " O ! what an unbending heart must 
that be, that has witnessed one revival of religion 
and can still be in doubt whether the bible is 
the word of the all-powerful and all-gracious 
God." 

What has occasioned the astonishing differ- 
ence between Christian and heathen nations? 
What has reared in the former, hospitals and 
almshouses and charitable institutions for the 



THE SCRIPTURES. 135 

relief of wretchedness of every kind ? what has 
given personal security ; stamped a just value 
on human life ; originated equitable laws, and 
caused their benign influence to pervade the 
community? what has given validity to oaths 
and made them effectual in eliciting truths in 
courts of justice? what, more than anything 
else, has strengthened parental affection, and 
given rise to schools and seminaries of learning, 
and all the rich variety of means for mental and 
moral cultivation? It is the bible, extending its 
silent but powerful influence over society. Turn 
to the nations destitute of this inestimable trea- 
sure, and you see them provided with no anti- 
dote to their complicated miseries. Human life 
is wantonly sacrificed to cruelty and revenge, or 
thrown away to appease an imaginary deity ; the 
sick and the aged are left to die unpitied ; pa- 
rents are destitute of natural affection and chil- 
dren of filial love ; the will of a despot is the 
only law ; all distinction between virtue and 
vice is confounded ; and the whole system of 
idolatry is calculated to give full strength and 



Wherein has the Bible caused Christian and heathen nations 
to differ 1 Give some account of the state of the heathen. 



136 INSPIRATION OF 

scope to all the corrupt propensities of a de- 
praved nature. 

Go where the bible has never gone, and you 
find yourself in the midst of a desert; you seek 
water and there is none, and your tongue faileth 
for thirst ; you are ready to perish for the bread 
of life. Travelling onward, a verdant spot meets 
your eye. It is clothed with freshness and 
beauty. A fountain is opened ; the waters of 
life flow in a dry and thirsty land. It is a mis- 
sionary station. The light of heaven dawns 
upon it ; the bible pours forth its treasures, and 
a little group, gathered out of the world's wide 
wilderness, are learning the method of salvation 
through redeeming grace. The song of Moses 
and the Lamb echoes through the region of moral 
death ; the desert blossoms as the rose ; the 
heart of savage ferocity is melted into tender- 
ness; and the incense of a humble and holy de- 
votion ascends up before the throne. These are 
the only bright and cheering spots amidst the 
immense tracts of moral desolation inhabited by 
six millions of benighted Pagans. 

Would you know the power of the gospel, 
look at its effects in South Africa. See the 

What is said of places, where the Bible has never gone ? 



THE SCRIPTURES. 137 

most degraded portion of the human race rising 
from their savage state, quitting their habits of 
plunder and rapine, enjoying the comforts of 
civilization, and walking in all the ordinances 
of the gospel, blameless. See Africaner, the 
scourge and terror of half a continent, whose 
very name filled the stoutest heart with dismay, 
see this lion of the desert, changed into a lamb, 
kneeling by the side of the man whose blood he 
once would have spilled, and pouring out his 
soul in prayer to the Prince of Peace. See him 
embracing the missionaries of the cross, and be- 
coming the protector and friend of them who 
had scarcely dared to cross the country through 
fear of him. 

Go to the islands of the Pacific, and you will 
see the worship of demons exchanged for that of 
Jehovah, the rites of a cruel and bloody super- 
stition for the holy services of the Christian Sab- 
bath, and the cries of human victims for the 
song of redeeming love. You will find govern- 
ment, and order, and piety, and learning, with 
the delightful train of domestic enjoyments, 
blessing and animating a people who were 



Describe the effects of the gospel in South Africa. What 
change has the gospel wrought on the islands of the Pacific ? 

12* 



138 INSPIRATION OF 

lately sitting in the region and shadow of 
death. 

In short, follow the dear missionary around 
the earth, and wherever he stops and opens his 
bible, and preaches Christ and him crucified, 
there you will discover the meltings of godly 
sorrow for sin, and a people made ready for the 
Lord. Is it not manifest that the book which 
can produce such effects is a revelation from 
God? 

Consider, further, what would be its effects 
were its principles universally embraced and 
practised. Every bad passion would be driven 
from the human breast, and all the great family 
of man would love as brethren. Despotism, and 
cruelty, and slavery would be at an end. Every 
heavy burden would be unloosed, every yoke of 
oppression would be broken. Injustice, fraud, 
and deception would give place to unbending 
integrity and perfect rectitude in all the business 
and pursuits of men. The powerful would no 
longer oppress the weak, nor the artful circum- 
vent the unwary, nor the rich grind the face of 
the poor. The sword would cease to devour; 



What would be the result, were the principles of the gospel 
universally embraced and practised 1 



THE SCRIPTURES. 139 

the scimitar would rest from its slaughter ; seas 
would no longer redden and groan beneath the 
navies of conflicting empires ; cities would cease 
to be laid in ruins by hostile armies ; the cries 
of widows and orphans for those who had fallen 
on the embattled field would be heard no more ; 
and millions of treasure would be spared to re- 
lieve the wants of the destitute and render men 
holy and happy. The inebriating cup would be 
dashed from the lips of the intemperate, and 
neighbors and friends would cease to entice 
each other to sin. Jehovah would every where 
be loved with supreme affection. His will would 
be obeyed with the same intense ardor and de- 
light on earth as it is in heaven. Incense and a 
pure offering would ascend to him from all the 
ends of the world. The dwelling of God would 
be with men. His Spirit would take up his 
abode in every human heart, producing peace of 
conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost, and afford- 
ing an antepast of the felicity of heaven. O 
how abundant is the evidence that the book 
which so plainly conducts to the world of purity 
and bliss came down from the King Eternal 
who reigns there. Who can doubt, whether the 

What are we to infer from this ? 



140 INSPIRATION OF 

volume suited to afford these results is indeed 
the word of the living God. 

We learn the importance of an early and firm 
belief in the inspiration of the bible. Such be- 
lief will influence the whole life. When you 
read the sacred page, let it be realized that God 
is especially present with you, that he addresses 
you in every line, and you will never fail of 
being benefitted. I see one who, like Timothy, 
from a child has known the holy scriptures. I 
fix my eyes upon him in youth, and see a mighty 
influence exerted in restraining him from wick- 
edness and forming him to virtue. The vio- 
lence of passion is repressed ; the law of kind* 
ness is on his lips ; he is modest in his deport- 
ment; obedient to parents; a diligent follower of 
the noble examples set him in the word of God. 
I see him rising to manhood and shedding a be- 
nign, a reforming influence around him. As a 
citizen, he leads a quiet and peaceful life ; as a 
magistrate, he exhibits an inflexible regard to 
justice, aiming at the suppression of vice, and 
the promotion of the public good by promoting 
public virtue ; as a disciple of Jesus, he holds 
fast the profession of his faith, and will not be 

What benefits will flow from an earlv and firm belief in the 
£ible? 



THE SCRIPTURES. 141 

moved from the foundation of the prophets and 
apostles, Jesus Christ himself being the chief 
corner stone. I behold him with dignity and 
serenity leaning upon his staff, while his hoary 
locks are whitened with age ; he sinks into the 
grave, and angels convoy his departing spirit to 
that rest which remaineth to the people of God. 
Turning from this bright and cheering pros- 
pect, I see another youth who refuses instruc- 
tion. He has no confidence in the oracles of 
God, and desires not a knowledge of the truths 
they inculcate. He is headstrong and impetu- 
ous. Hurried away by appetite and passion, he 
becomes a grief and shame to his parents, and a 
corrupter of society; his mind is filled with un- 
hallowed thoughts, his lips with profane conver- 
sation, and his hands with unrighteous deeds. 
I see him rising to manhood, living in rebellion 
against God, and exerting a banefui influence in 
every relation in life. I follow him until his steps 
are verging to the grave, and darkness and horror 
come over his path; his eye sinks in despair ; he 
dies without hope, or with that only which is false 
and fatal, and is turned into hell with all that 
forget God. This is not the mere creation of 
fancy. It is often a solemn reality, bearing tes- 
timony to the transcendent importance of early 



142 INSPIRATION OF 

embracing the truths of the gospel. " Where- 
with shall a young man cleanse his way?" in- 
quires the Psalmist, and his reply is, " By tak- 
ing heed thereto according to thy word." 

What wisdom is in them who reject the word 
of the Lord 1 They refuse to credit the decla- 
rations of the God of truth, though supported by 
the clearest evidence. Every possible proof is 
afforded which the nature of the case admits. 
It comes to us from every quarter, from earlier 
and later times, with a richness and variety in- 
dicating the divine determination to leave them 
without excuse who continue in unbelief. How 
can they be wise who shut their eyes against 
the light, and thus manifest a determined oppo- 
sition to the character and government of God ? 
Their offence is peculiarly and awfully aggra- 
vated, for they give the lie to their Maker by 
refusing to credit his instructions ; they trample 
upon all the attributes of Jehovah unfolded in 
the volume of inspiration, and set at nought the 
astonishing condescension and mercy displayed 
in the system of redemption. What have they 
to expect who thus abuse their Creator and Re- 



How are we to view their offence, who refuse to credit the 
testimony of God, and give him their hearts ? 



THE SCRIPTURES. 143 

deemer, but lo be treated as enemies to his 
throne and government, and be made the signal 
monuments of vindictive justice and coming 
wrath ? " If any man shall take away from the 
words of *the book of this prophecy, God shall 
take away his part out of the book of life, and 
out of the holy city." Beware how you approach 
this fatal precipice, by suffering yourselves to 
deny or distrust the word of the Lord. Shun, 
as you would the bite of a serpent, the secret, 
the artful insinuation, which would destroy your 
confidence in the sacred record. Flee from the 
presence of the man who ridicules his bible, as 
you would from the presence of an assassin. He 
is engaged in the work of destruction, scatter- 
ing fire-brands, arrows, and death, while he 
saith, Am I not in sport? He is tearing down 
the barriers against the floods of iniquity ; anni- 
hilating the restraints to every bad passion ; pre- 
paring to deluge society in misery, and plunge 
immortal souls into the fire which is never 
quenched. Let the infidel succeed in his at- 
tempts to promote universal unbelief, and he 
will seize your liberties and riot on your sub- 
stance ; he will thrust the dagger into your 
bosom whenever he thinks it will promote his 



144 INSPIRATION OF 

interest, or that he can escape conviction of hk 
crime before the civil magistrate. Guard for 
your life against the company and influence of 
the wicked who forsake the law. of the Lord. 
They pursue the paths of death, and their steps 
take hold on hell. " Blessed is the man that 
walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor 
standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in 
the seat of the scornful. He that walketh with 
wise men shall be wise : but the companion of 
fools shall be destroyed." 

How unreasonable is it to withhold our belief 
from any of the doctrines of the bible because 
we do not fully understand them. Having set- 
tled the question that they are from God, there 
is no alternative, except to receive them with 
implicit confidence, or venture his eternal dis- 
pleasure. In a communication from him, who 
is infinite in all his perfections, who presides 
over the immense dominions of the universe, 
whose ways are everlasting, we might reasona- 
bly expect to find some things beyond the entire 
comprehension of finite minds. A revelation 
from such a being, unfolding his character, pur- 
poses, and operations, must necessarily involve 
mysteries. But many truths which are myste- 



THE SCRIPTURES. 145 

rious to a child are not so to a philosopher ; and 
subjects which are obscure and incomprehensi- 
ble to men in this imperfect state, may be fully 
understood by angels and the spirits of the just 
made perfect. The natural world presents in- 
numerable mysteries, which we are unable to 
fathom. Tell me how an acorn vegetates, and 
becomes a spreading oak, or what occasions the 
variety of colors in the opening blossom. Tell 
me how the human mind is connected with the 
body ; how the soul is affected by the organs of 
sense ; why such vast oceans and immense 
deserts are found on the earth, and why other 
large portions of its surface are covered with 
bleak mountains and barren plains. If you can- 
not explain these difficulties in the natural world, 
with which you are continually conversant, how 
unreasonable will it be to reject the message 
- sent from the high and lofty One, because it 
contains depths of unfathomable wisdom. 

The truths of God are to be received as mat- 
ters of fact, which are to regulate our affections 
and guide our conduct. When God reveals his 
own existence, and teaches us that we are equally 
dependent on the Father, the Son, and the Holy 
Ghost, as constituting the adorable Trinity, the 
13 



146 INSPIRATION OF 

one living and true God. When he declares io 
us the necessity of regeneration by the Holy 
Spirit, the sovereignty of his electing love, the 
freedom and accountability of men, the final 
resurrection, and eternal state of rewards and 
punishments, it is to the simple, momentous 
facts that he demands our implicit faith. The 
mode of his operations he has never required us 
to understand. It may be entirely beyond our 
comprehension, while the truths are essential to 
teach us our necessities, and what we must do 
to be saved. Instead of being offended with dif- 
ficulties, receive with meekness whatever God 
has seen fit to communicate. Let it be your in- 
tense and unceasing prayer that you may know 
what he has revealed. Plead for the influences 
of his Spirit to assist your understandings, and 
pour light upon your darkened minds. Learn 
to suppress all high thoughts of yourself, and be 
willing to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn of 
him. Whoever would come to God, with the 
hope of acceptance through Christ, must come 
with meekness and docility, or he will be reject- 
ed for his arrogance and presumption. He 
that leaneth to his own understanding " shall 
die without instruction, and in the greatness of 



THE SCRIPTURES. 147 

his folly shall he go astray." But the meek will 
the Lord " guide in judgment, and the meek 
will he teach his way. He will beautify the 
meek with salvation," and increase their joy in 
believing. 

Finally. We see the necessity of immediate 
repentance and submission to the terms of the 
gospel. Health and gaiety, thoughtless compan- 
ions, and the busy scenes of time may conspire 
to buoy up your spirits now, and exclude the af- 
fecting considerations of eternity. But its reali- 
ties are advancing with rapidity, and often burst 
upon the secure and inconsiderate in a sudden 
and surprising manner. No man knoweth his 
time, and while submission to the gospel is neg- 
lected, whether he be young or old, or in the 
prime and meridian of life, he is liable every 
moment to be cut off in his sins, and consigned 
to that world in which the streams of salvation 
never flow. Dear youth, I beseech you by the 
melting compassion and dying love of Jesus, by 
the worth of the soul, and the consideration of 
its ever-growing felicity, or ever-withering pains, 
I affectionately beseech you to repent of all your 
sins, and to seek the Lord with all your heart. 
You are hastening on the wings of every fleeting 



H8 INSPIRATION OF ; &c. 

hour to immortal glory and blessedness, or to 
the weeping and wailing which shall never end ; 
hastening to rise and participate with angel and 
seraphim in their enrapturing joys, or plunge 
in darkness and despair forever. Think of the 
amount of happiness in that tide of bliss which 
shall continue to swell during unceasing ages; 
and O think too of the billows of anguish which 
shall roll over a lost immortal, as he sinks deeper 
and deeper in a pit of wo. Soon, all the affairs 
of time will be nothing to you, except in the joy 
or grief which the retrospection will fling across 
your soul forever. Secure the present moment 
by immediate repentance and faith in the Lord 
Jesus. From the throne of his grace he now 
encourages you to take shelter beneath the ban- 
ner of his love. He proclaims in the most en- 
dearing, inviting accents, " I love them that 
love me ; and those that seek me early shall find 
me." O give him now the first fruits of your 
affections, and raise your anxious cry to Jehovah 
Jesus, " My Father, be thou the guide of my 
youth." 



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